That was almost funny considering how many of them had stared when he entered.
Daniel’s brother was first.
He walked over awkwardly.
“Theo.”
Theo looked nervous.
My brother-in-law cleared his throat.
“I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“I was judging you before you even sat down.”
Theo shrugged.
“It’s okay.”
“No.”
He looked toward Jack’s coffin.
“It isn’t.”
Then he held out his hand.
Theo shook it.
Others followed.
Some hugged him.
Some told him Jack would have loved it.
One elderly aunt said, “I still don’t understand boys today, but your speech was beautiful.”
Theo said, “Honestly, that’s fair.”
For the first time all day, I saw something close to the Theo I knew.
Later, after most people had gone to the reception hall, Theo found me alone beside the photographs we’d displayed of Jack.
