A Parent’s Tale: The Inexplicable Delight of Watching Your Kid Face Their Fears

His eyes were already welling up with tears. I had not even taken a step back yet. It was early. The Bellevue Square mall had just opened, and still had the feeling of a yawning teen, groggy from a night’s slumber. A few people strolled by, sipping their morning coffee. Eyes down, nobody was looking to engage with anyone else. It was quiet. It was empty…