The terminal seemed to hold its breath. The man looked down, surprise etched on his face, as Max hugged his leg with the fervor only an innocent child could muster. The crowd watched, waiting to see how the scenario would unfold.

And then Max shouted a single word that seemed to hang in the air like an echo: “Grandpa!”

The word sent a ripple through the watching crowd, a collective intake of breath that spoke of surprise and curiosity. The man’s eyes widened, his mouth opening then closing again as if he were struggling to find the right words. He knelt down, coming eye to eye with Max, confusion and a touch of warmth mingling in his expression.

“Max?” the man finally asked, his voice a blend of disbelief and hope.

Before Max could say anything, Sarah rushed forward, her face a mix of apology and bewilderment. “Max! I’m so sorry,” she said, trying to gently pull her son away. “I don’t know what got into him.”