"Dad, do you have words you like?"

"Mellifluous. And scout."

"Is scout a word?"

"Yep."

"What does it mean?"

"A scout is someone who goes ahead of the group and sees what's up there and comes back and tells everyone what to expect."

"Why did you name me that?"

"I guess because that's the kind of person I hope you'll be."

"Oh no, Dad!"

"What?"

"I'll get lost!"

"No you won't. You don't have to go up ahead until you're ready."

"I don't?"

"Besides, you're already a scout. You're already going ahead—you're going to school without us, you're going places in your mind that we don't go, you're riding your bike ahead of me all the time."

"You're right, Dad. I am."

"Yes, honey, you are."