I came back from a business trip, and the first thing my seven-year-old son said was, “Don’t go into my room.” Of course, I went in anyway.

for dinner.

Bennett asked him questions about everything from his favorite cereal to whether he had ever seen a bear. My father answered each one patiently.

Before he left, he paused at the front door.

“May I call you tomorrow?”

I looked at Lauren, then at Bennett.

Finally, I faced him.

“Yes,” I said. “But do not make him promises you cannot keep.”

My father continue reading …