the hospital with her beautiful curls. Lily bald and crying. Leo climbing into her hospital bed. Leo refusing haircuts. Leo telling the doctor he was growing his hair for his sister.
I put it all together with a simple title: Leo’s Promise
When I showed Mark, he watched it in silence. When it ended, his eyes were wet.
“Perfect,” he said. “Send it to me.”
Sunday afternoon, we drove to Brenda’s house.
Leo didn’t want to go. “I don’t want to see Grandma.”
“I know, buddy,” Mark said. “But I need you to be brave for me one more time. Can you do that?”
Leo nodded, though he looked terrified.
Brenda’s house was full of people. Mark’s father, his two brothers, their wives, his aunt and uncle. A full family dinner.
Brenda greeted us at the door with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.
“There’s my family! Come
