The Silent Observer

~VALERIE~

The ice cream parlor was exactly what Leo needed—bright colors, cheerful music, and about twenty different flavors to choose from.

I watched him press his nose against the glass case, his eyes wide with wonder as he tried to decide between chocolate chip cookie dough and strawberry swirl.

"Can I have both, Mama?" he asked, looking up at me with those big blue eyes that reminded me so muc