Sid felt tears rising again. He tried to breathe, but his chest felt tight. The boy kept talking, his words small but bright.
"My dad's sick. He can't get out of bed, but Mom says we'll be okay. When I saw your video, I told him that if brother Sid can still stand up after falling that high, then Dad can too. And he smiled! You made him smile, brother Sid."
Sid pressed his hand over his eyes. His voice broke when he finally spoke.
"Kid… thank you. That means more than you know."
On the other end, his mother sniffled softly.
"He's been waiting to tell you that for weeks."
Sid wiped his eyes, smiling through the tears.
"You've got a good kid, Mom."
He hesitated, then whispered,
"And I guess… I've got a little brother now."
The boy giggled happily.
"Yup! And you gotta get better soon, brother Sid. We'll all be cheering!"
Sid laughed, the sound choked but genuine.
"I'll do my best, little man. Promise."
