What Uncle Joe Knew(Marla) Madeline sat on her bed and tried to write the words, but it was difficult to do. Hot tears dropped onto the page, making the ink spread and smear. Her best friend was moving, and her heart hurt as she wrote how much she would miss him.

She could hear her mother speaking downstairs, but she couldn't quite hear the words. This was a good thing, because her mother said, “Love? Kids her age don’t even know what love is! She’ll be fine.”

Uncle Joe answered something in a low tone. Again, Madeline couldn’t hear what was said. She continued to write until she reached the end of the page, and then, exhausted, she put her head on her pillow and cried. A few minutes passed and then she heard her door open. Then she felt a calm, reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, Squirt. It’s going to be okay. You know you can call each other, right?”

Madeline shook her head. “Mom says I’m not old enough for a phone, Uncle Joe.”

Uncle Joe answered quietly, “Well, now, I know that. But guess what? I’m good friends with Leo’s dad. Do you remember that? Remember when I said that we went to school together? And I was just downstairs talking with your mom. And do you know what? She said that I can let you talk to Leo with my phone anytime. And do you know what else? I gave her Leo’s dad’s number, so she has it too.” He didn't tell her that her mom had thought it all silly and unnecessary.

Madeline sat up and flung her skinny arms around Uncle Joe’s neck. “Thank you, Uncle Joe.”

“No problem at all, Squirt.” His gaze fell to the tear-stained note. “Want me to make sure that this gets to Leo?” Madeline nodded. “I can do that.” He handed her a tissue. “Feel like watching My Little Pony with your Uncle Joe? I promise I won’t make fun of the ponies.”

Madeline laughed as she used the tissue to wipe some snot from her nose. Uncle Joe always said that, and he always made fun of the ponies. “Yeah.”

Uncle Joe picked up the letter and walked toward the door. “See you downstairs in five minutes, Squirt.”

Madeline smiled. It was a tiny smile, but it was a smile. “Okay. Thanks, Uncle Joe.”

Uncle Joe glanced at the tear-streaked letter as he went down the stairs. He wouldn’t read it - Madeline trusted him. One thing he was certain of was that his sister, Madeline’s mother, was wrong. Little kids know what love is. Sure, Madeline and Leo were only eight years old, but they were very close friends. They loved each other - it was not a romance, just a pure love that friends share.

A few days later, Joe's sister called him. "Joe, I was wrong."

"Of course you were," he joked. Then he said, "About what?"

"Madeline told me about the letter she wrote. She told me some of the things she said. You were right. Those two have a special friendship."

"And?" prompted Joe.

"And, yes, they know what love is."

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