“Need a hand?”

these off and pack up the leftovers–I don’t want you getting soaked again.” Brendan scooped the last of the wraps into his bag and shoved the empty container and cup into Alessia’s hands.

“Go on upstairs, let your mom know what’s going on.”

Alessia nodded and headed up, quickly explaining everything to Karen.

But instead of scolding Alessia for acting on her own, Karen looked anxious and excited all at once. She spun around the kitchen twice, already thinking about making more, but for a moment, she was so flustered she didn’t know where to

start.

“Mom, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going to talk to Ivan about the room arrangements.”

“Good girl, go ahead.” By now, Karen was too distracted to hear anything else. Alessia just shook her head, smiling, and walked toward Ivan’s room.

She knocked–just like always–half–expecting no answer and already reaching for the doorknob herself, when the handle turned from the inside.

Looking down, she saw Ivan’s small face peeking out through the crack.

“I need to talk to you. Is now a good time?” He was only eight, but Alessia didn’t bother with the sing–song tone adults usually used with kids; she spoke to him as an equal.

same age as the younger

have been more different.

straight back to the little corner he’d claimed. Alessia noticed a brand–new can of paint in his hand–he must have gotten up to

the Mortons did everything they could to meet

room into two zones,” Alessia began. “You’ll have the inside area–it’s quieter, full of sunlight, perfect for painting. I’ll take

glanced up at her, then looked down

with a view–you can see birds perched on the

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day, sunlight streaming through the trees in the afternoon, and at night, you’ll spot

voice was gentle, almost hypnotic. Ivan

forever. You have to see the world outside if you want to create real art. I promise I

a saint, but she

looked like a kid his age. Pleased

better–definitely cuter than that

Ivan knocked her hand away. She raised an eyebrow.

gave a small nod. Easier than she’d expected. Good–her

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