She spotted me and waved.
I waved back.
The purple backpack had been replaced by a bright green one.
She hurried over, holding a book against her chest.
“Mr. Whitmore!”
“Ms. Reyes.”
She grinned.
“I’m eight now.”
“My mistake.”
She opened the book.
Inside was a photograph of Elena.
Sophie had written something beneath it.
I looked closely.
My mom said papers matter because people forget.
I swallowed.
“She said that?”
“All the time.”
I glanced toward Maria.
She nodded.
Sophie continued.
“So I wrote it down.”
“That was smart.”
She closed the book.
“Are you still forgetting things?”
Children had a way of asking questions adults spent paragraphs avoiding.
“Yes.”
“Important things?”
“Sometimes.”
She thought about that.
“Then write them down.”
I laughed.
“That is excellent advice.”
Daniel came over.
Sophie looked between us.
“Is he still your brother?”
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“I hope so.”
I pretended to consider.
