I recognized Jamie and Cole right away.
The tallest one pointed first. “Why are you pushing a baby around? That’s for girls!”
“Yeah, are you a mommy now?” Cole added, doubling over.
I asked him who Carol was.
I was already on my feet, walking fast across the grass.
Leo did not flinch. He did not look for me. He stopped the stroller in front of them and pointed at the doll inside.
“I’m not the mommy,” Leo said, in that clear, careful voice. “I’m taking care of Carol’s baby until she comes back.”
Carol.
“Dad said it was our secret.”
Leo turned the stroller around and pushed it back toward me.
On the walk home, I kept my voice light.
I asked him who Carol was.
“She’s bigger than me,” Leo said, kicking a pebble. “We played with dinosaurs at her house. She let me hold the baby.”
“Her house? When were you at her house, buddy?”
