John

Troy: “Dada, who is that?”
Me: “John.”
Troy: “Who’s John?”
Me: “John Wayne. He was an actor.”
Troy: “Was he a cowboy?”
Me: “Sometimes. My father and stepfather really liked his movies. I actually drew that picture for my stepfather for his birthday.”
Troy: “He looks cool.”
Me: “He was. He died.”
Troy: “Did the bad guy in the movie kill him?”
Me: “No, he died in real life, just like my stepfather.”
Troy: “Why did your stepfather die?”
Me: “He got sick.”
Troy: “Oh. Why did John die?”
Me: “He also got sick. Here let me show you a photograph of him. There, that’s him in my favorite movie, The Angel and the Badman. What do you think? How did I do with my drawing?”
Troy: “You did great. I can totally tell that’s him in your drawing.”
Me: “Thanks, man.”
Troy: “Of course, even if you’d messed up and it was bad, I’d still love it, because you drew it. And I love you.”
Me [hugging him]: “You’re very sweet. I love you too.”