"Could Superman do it?"
Marcus smiled.
"Probably."
Caleb looked down at the rocket.
He had not mentioned Superman in weeks.
Marcus tried not to react too strongly.
Instead, he asked, "Want to paint it red?"
Caleb nodded.
"And blue."
"Red and blue it is."
They worked until sunset.
For the first time since the party, Caleb laughed without looking over his shoulder.
Marcus considered it a victory.
The turning point in Caleb's recovery came unexpectedly.
His elementary school organized a community helpers day.
Firefighters, nurses, librarians, paramedics, and several police officers were invited to speak.
Marcus was concerned.
He contacted the school counselor and explained Caleb's recent experience.
The counselor offered to let the boy participate in another activity.
Caleb initially agreed.
Then, the night before the event, he changed his mind.
"Daddy, I want to go."
Marcus looked surprised.
"Are you sure?"
Caleb nodded.
"I want to ask something."
"What?"
"If police are supposed to help kids."
Marcus sat beside him.
"That's a fair question."
"Will they get mad?"
"They shouldn't."
Caleb thought about that.
Then he whispered, "What if they do?"
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then you can come find me or your teacher. You don't have to stay in a conversation that scares you."
The next morning, Marcus took time off work and attended the event with permission from the school.
A female county officer named Officer Natalie Brooks was speaking to the children.
She was a Black American woman in her late thirties, with a calm voice and an easy smile.
She explained emergency calls, road safety, and what children should do if they became lost.
When she invited questions, Caleb slowly raised his hand.
Officer Brooks smiled.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
Caleb stood.
His voice was barely audible.
"Can police hurt birthday cakes?"
The room became quiet.
Several teachers looked toward Marcus.
Officer Brooks's expression softened.
She knew about the Riverside incident.
Almost everyone in the region did.
But she did not mention the video.
She crouched slightly so she could speak at the child's level.
"Police officers are supposed to protect people and follow the law," she said. "Destroying someone's birthday cake just to scare or punish them is not okay."
Caleb swallowed.
"What if a police officer is mean?"
Officer Brooks considered the question.
"Then other adults need to help make sure that officer is held accountable."
"Even if he's a police officer?"
"Especially because police officers have important responsibilities."