Leonard adjusted the volume on the car stereo, letting the soft hum of classical music fill the cabin as he navigated through the afternoon traffic, before he glanced at the clock on the dashboard. He was on his way to pick up Julio from kindergarten—a task he hadn't anticipated for the day.
Earlier, Claudio had called, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Leo, I'm stuck in a meeting that's running over. Paula's on a girls' trip, and I was supposed to pick up Julio. Can you do it?"
Leonard had agreed without hesitation. He couldn't bear the thought of his lively nephew waiting alone.
As he pulled into the kindergarten parking lot, Leonard spotted Julio on the swings, laughing with two other children. He stepped out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath his shoes, and called out, "Julio!"
Julio's face lit up, and he leaped off the swing, running toward Leonard.
"Uncle Leo!"
Leonard crouched down, arms open, catching Julio in a warm embrace.
