All Choked Up

"Bear."

"What did you just say, baby?"

"Bear."

My heart jumped into my throat as I tried to catch my breath.  Sitting in the car outside the arena where she rides Bear twice a week, this being her third visit ever, my daughter said his name.  My daughter, who doesn't speak, and has just very recently started noticing the world around her.  She said his name.

"Okay, baby.  We're going in now.  Let's go see Bear."