"You're really cool. You know that?" He shifts a little in her lap so he can lift one hand up and gently stroke the side of her arm. She said he's allowed.

He's still sniffling, but what was potentially going to be a sobbing fit has turned into a slow and quiet trickle of tears down his cheeks. Sorrow, but the kind that comes with acceptance. It's not all bad here. Not when there are people like her willing to listen to him and hold him.