My 12-year-old son carried his wheelchair-bound friend on his back during a camping trip so he wouldn’t feel excluded—then the next day, the principal called me and said, “You need to come to school right away.”

I pulled Leo close, my voice breaking.

“Your dad would’ve been proud too,” I whispered.

Leo’s face tightened, and he nodded once.

The tension in the room faded, replaced by something warmer.

Sally stepped closer.

“Thank you for giving my son something I couldn’t.”

I reached out and hugged her.