Then he asked:
“Maddie?”
“What?”
“Do you think somebody could love me?”
Even at six, I understood that the question was bigger than marriage.
I kicked my sneaker against the pavement.
“Of course.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I love you.”
He looked up immediately.
“You do?”
“Yeah. You’re my best friend.”
He considered this.
Then said:
“So will you marry me?”
I nearly choked.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You said you love me.”