A spare first-person text marked by powerful descriptive moments follows a young Black boy on the day of his father’s funeral. He has a new haircut, a new suit, and his cape— “in case I remember.” But he doesn’t want to remember, or listen to what’s being said around him. “Memories make my swallow hurt.” He and his auntie go to the cemetery and then back to the house and “a party where no one smiles.” The cape is to block unwanted memories—he’ll use it like a shield. But the memories are unstoppable, and when the boy eventually does remember, he recalls his dad’s laugh, his dad’s love, and the day his dad gave him the cape. “I remember the way to my smile.” The illustrations are a mix of full-page scenes and spots that make thoughtful use of white space. (Ages 4-8)