After the service, people approached Theo one after another.
Some hugged him.
Others told him how much Jack would have loved the tribute.
Daniel’s brother approached first, looking uncomfortable.
“Theo, I owe you an apology.”
Theo frowned.
“For what?”
“I judged you the moment you walked into the chapel. I didn’t even give you a chance to explain.”
Theo shrugged.
“It’s okay.”
His uncle shook his head.
“No, it wasn’t. I’m sorry.”
Then he offered his hand.
Theo shook it.
An elderly aunt later told him she still didn’t understand why young people did half the things they did, but she thought his speech had been beautiful.
Theo smiled.
“Honestly, that’s fair.”
For the first time that day, he looked almost like the cheerful boy I’d known for years.
Later, after most guests had moved to the reception hall, I found Theo standing beside the photographs we’d displayed of Jack.
