Marcus attended with Caleb.
The boy was fourteen at the time.
He wore a button-down shirt and dark trousers.
After the ceremony, Thomas stood near the stage speaking with former colleagues.
Caleb approached.
"Grandpa?"
Thomas turned.
"Hey, buddy."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
Caleb looked at the retired chief's badge displayed in a small presentation box.
"Did you ever get scared being a police officer?"
Thomas smiled.
"More times than I can count."
Caleb looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"But you were the chief."
Thomas laughed softly.
"That didn't make me fearless."
Caleb considered that.
"What scared you most?"
Thomas paused.
There were many possible answers.
Dangerous calls.
Armed suspects.
The possibility of losing an officer.
The responsibility of making decisions that affected people's lives.
But he chose something else.
"Making a mistake that hurt someone and then being too proud to admit it."
Caleb stared at him.
Thomas continued.
"A badge gives you responsibility. It doesn't make you better than anybody else."
The boy nodded.
Then he looked toward the presentation box.
"Are you glad you were a police officer?"
Thomas considered the question carefully.
"Most days, yes."
"Even after my birthday?"
Thomas's expression softened.
"Especially after your birthday, I understood how much work there was still to do."
Caleb looked down.
Thomas placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry that happened to you."
Caleb nodded.
"I know."
Thomas leaned closer.
"And I'm proud of the young man you're becoming."
Caleb smiled.
"Thanks, Grandpa."
They embraced.
The photograph taken at that moment later became one of Marcus's favorites.
Not because it showed a powerful police chief.
Because it showed a grandfather holding his grandson.
When Caleb turned eighteen, he received a scholarship to study mechanical engineering at a university several hours from home.
Marcus helped him pack.
They carried boxes into the dormitory.
They assembled a small bookshelf.
They argued cheerfully about where to place the desk lamp.
Then Caleb opened a suitcase and removed a familiar red-and-blue bundle.