a blue “Lions” baseball cap that matched his sweatshirt. “Mother,” he said. “When are we leaving?”
She laid a hand on his shoulder. “Very soon. I will take Listener home first so we’ll have room to transport our guest. You can stay here and help him get ready.”
The boy tilted his head and rubbed her hand with his cheek. “Will you leave Father’s companion with me, too?”
“No, silly man,” she said, pressing his cap down. “Now that we’re going home to stay, I’m going to put it back on its shelf.”
“May I see it again before you leave?” The boy extended his cupped hands. “Please?”
The doctor smiled at Timothy. “I hope you’ll pardon this interruption.”
“Of course,” Timothy said. “Please take your time.”
She reached into her pocket and withdrew a purple velvet-covered box, similar to, yet somewhat bigger than a ring box. After flipping open the hinged lid, she tipped out a glass egg into the boy’s hands. His eyes widened, as did his brilliant smile. Transferring the egg to one hand, he petted the top with his fingers. The touch seemed to make it glow with a pale yellow hue.
The doctor lowered herself to one knee and stroked her son’s back. “That means your father loves you, and he misses your touch.” As she continued, her voice began to break. “Don’t ever forget what a great man he was or how much he loved you.”
“I won’t, Mother.” A tear passed from his eye to his cheek as he continued to stare at the glowing orb. “Every time I hold his companion, I feel him hugging me.”
After a few more seconds, she held the open box under his hands. “That’s enough for now. I have to take your sister home.”
The boy petted the egg one more time before lovingly rolling it back into the box. His mother closed the lid and nodded solemnly to Timothy. “I will be back very soon.” With that, she swept through the doorway.
The boy turned a dial on the wall near the door, and the flaming wicks above grew brighter. “Do you want me to get your clothes for you or help you walk to the closet?”
Timothy wiped a tear from his eye and sat up, dangling his legs. His bare toes brushed the rough, wooden floor. “Yes, please bring my clothes, if you don’t mind.”
While the boy gathered the clothing in his arms, Timothy glanced out the single, unadorned window. Clouds and filtered sunlight filled the view—no grass, no trees, no parking lot. This room was obviously on a high floor.
The boy dropped the clothing bundle on the bed. Two soft-soled walking shoes tumbled off the top but stayed on the sheet. He placed them side by side and smiled. “I think that’s all.”
“Thank you.” Timothy pulled out his trousers, a freshly laundered and pressed pair of beige khakis. “What’s your name, young man?”
“Candle,” he replied, his grin revealing a lovely set of bright teeth.
“Candle?” Timothy slid his pants over his legs, then lowered himself to the floor and pulled them the rest of the way up. “I’ve never heard of anyone named Candle before. Do other kids tease you?”
Candle’s brow furrowed. “Uh … no. I don’t think so. I know two other boys and a girl named Candle. It just must not be a popular name where you come from.” His brow smoothed back out as a new smile lit up his face. “My mother likes my name because she says I light up a room whenever I walk in.”
Timothy patted Candle’s shoulder. “Well, I certainly agree with that! Your mother chose well.”
“She didn’t choose it. She just likes it.” Candle rubbed his cheek against Timothy’s hand, just as he had done to his mother’s.
“I see.” Timothy slowly drew his hand away, wondering if he might be committing a social blunder by ending his show of affection, but since Candle’s smile never dimmed, this brush of the cheek must have been similar to a quick pat on the back. Timothy pulled a polo shirt over his head and began tucking it in his pants. “I didn’t catch your mother’s name.”
“Catch her name?”
“Yes.” Timothy zipped his pants and tightened his belt. “She never mentioned it.”
“Angel. Her name is Angel.”
Timothy sat on the bed and picked up his socks. “How appropriate.”
Candle smiled. “My father thought so, too. He said she’s a gift from Heaven. And my sister is named Listener. She doesn’t talk, but she listens to and remembers everything.”