My Son Found a One-Eyed Teddy Bear in the Dirt – That Night, It Whispered His Name and Begged, ‘Help Me’

She covered her mouth with her hand as I spoke.

“Oh my God,” she said quietly. “Leo…”

She told me that Leo hadn’t been himself lately.

She’d tried to make time for them to go to the park together, but she often had to work over the weekend to keep up with her new duties at work.

I stayed for almost an hour.

By the time I left, plans were already forming.

That Saturday, we met at the park.

We were close to that same spot near the lake where Mark found the teddy when Mark spotted Leo and his mom.

The boys didn’t hesitate.

They ran toward each other.

When they collided, it was awkward, hard, and perfect.

Like no time had passed at all.

The bear sat between them on the ground while they played.

Leo’s mom, Mandy, and I talked nearby about schedules and school, and how maybe we could all do better at slowing down.

When it was time to leave, Mark hugged Leo again.

“Don’t disappear again,” he said.

“I won’t,” Leo promised.

Now they meet every other weekend.

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