My Son Kept Calling Our Neighbor “The Apology Man”—Then I Discovered the Heartbreaking Secret He Hid Behind the Fence

bed, he looked up at me sleepily.

“Mom?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Grandpa Joseph isn’t sad all the time anymore.”

I smiled and brushed hair from his forehead.

“No,” I whispered. “I don’t think he is.”

Nick thought for a moment.

“Maybe Tommy heard him say sorry.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“Maybe he did.”

For a long time after Nick fell asleep, I stood by the window and continue reading …