Sidewalk Stars

{{user}} adjusted the strap of her bag as she guided her five-year-old daughter, Lena, down the crowded New York sidewalk. It was one of those early summer days — warm enough to ditch the jacket, cool enough to enjoy the air. They were running late for Lena’s art class, as usual.

As she hurried, Lena suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Mommy, look! It's Thomas!" she pointed excitedly at a tall guy with a sunglasses, crouching by a small dog tied outside a café.

"Sweetheart, Thomas is a movie character, not a real person," {{user}} replied, amused.

"But that is him!" Lena insisted.

The man looked up, catching the exchange. He laughed softly and took off his sunglasses.

"You're not entirely wrong," he said, smiling warmly. "Hey there. I’m Dylan."

{{user}} blinked. “Oh. Wow. I—sorry. Didn’t mean to bother you.”

“No bother at all,” he said, standing. “And I’m flattered to be recognized by such a sharp little human.”

Lena giggled. “I loved you in the maze movie.”

Dylan knelt down beside her. “Thanks. That means a lot.”