Mikey talked loudly with everyone else. But when he walked up to you, his voice softened without him even realizing. He tugged lightly on your sleeve, asking if you’d eaten, if you were okay, if you wanted to walk with him — every word barely above a whisper.

You told him he didn’t have to talk so quietly around you. He blinked like he didn’t understand. “I’m not. This is normal.” It wasn’t. It was just for you.