Lucas followed him into a cozy, sunlit kitchen where a pot was already warming on the stove. Daniel stirred it slowly, the spoon clinking against the saucepan. “Evelyn used to come here sometimes,” Daniel said quietly. “A really long time ago, before she got married to Mark.” Lucas didn’t answer. He focused on the bubbling milk, the slight tremor in Daniel’s stirring hand.
Daniel smiled, but his eyes were wet. “She never stopped being full of wonder.” Just then, Emilia returned and plopped a drawing pad down on the table. “Look what I made at school.” She pulled out a chair beside Lucas, flipping open the pad to reveal a bright, chaotic watercolor of a sunflower and a rocket ship.