Tom, too, had felt very alone. He had tried to talk to her, but she hadn’t seemed interested.

After Emma explained she didn’t understand the big words he was using, she knew things would be all right. Tom didn’t say he would not use big words any more. But they agreed he would help her at night to improve her English.

Tom said they would live big that night. They would have a second large Coke with their dessert.

They were very happy again. Then Emma needed a Kleenex. She put her hand in her purse and found the letter. She had forgotten about it completely. She handed it to Tom. Tom was smiling. Emma wondered what he could be smiling about. Tom read it aloud to her. Johnny had done so well. Now he was with the top readers in his class. Emma didn’t believe it. How could he be?

Tom explained. “Well, every night I’m home, I work with him after supper. Didn’t you know what we were doing there? After we worked on reading, we would look at the stars. Did you know Johnny is teaching me? He can point out and name many stars. He knows all the planets too. You would be surprised how much he knows.”

“By the way, did you get the book?” asked Tom.

“Yes, I even had to go fifteen extra miles to get it. I thought you were crazy!”

“Once Johnny got interested, he wanted to learn to read. He’s doing so well, Emma, honey.”

As they walked to the car, Tom put his arm around her. Emma saw how Tom had grown. Johnny was also learning and growing. She knew she, too, would keep growing along with them now.