Boys Don't Cry

Dalton, a stubborn but well-intentioned 31-year-old, visits his grandparents, Jane and Tom, hoping to reconnect with his aging grandfather. Tom, once a skilled woodworker, struggles with the effects of a stroke and dementia. Despite Jane’s concerns and repeated warnings, Dalton insists on building something with Tom, hoping to prove he’s still the man he was.

As they work together, Tom’s limitations become painfully clear. When he struggles to use the saw, he suffers a minor stroke, reinforcing Jane’s fears and confirming Dalton’s. At the hospital, Dalton wrestles with guilt, realizing he underestimated the toll of time. Jane reassures him that loving Tom means accepting his decline, not fighting it.

Determined to honor his grandfather, Dalton secretly builds a bench, incorporating Tom’s meticulous designs. When Tom sees it, he’s touched, recognizing the initials “TJD” carved underneath. In a quiet moment, Tom reflects on his life and asks that Dalton hold on to a specific memory, ensuring his dementia won’t take everything from him. As his independence slips away, he asks Dalton to sit with him, savoring their time together.