Then she paused. “Last week, she said, ‘Daddy never tells me he’s tired, but I know when he is.’” Darius became still.
“She said that?” Mrs. Harper nodded. “Children see more than we think.”
Darius looked across the gymnasium. Nia was explaining condensation to two adults as though the entire scientific community had appointed her spokesperson. He suddenly wondered how much of his effort to protect her had become something she was protecting him from in return.
That night, Vanessa called him at eleven. Darius answered on the third ring. “Everything okay?”
“Yes.” A pause. “I went into the room again.”
Darius sat upright. “Adrian’s room?”
“I moved the book.” Vanessa’s voice remained controlled. “The one on the chair.”
Darius said nothing. Vanessa continued. “I put it on the shelf.”
“How did that feel?” She breathed slowly. “Like betrayal for approximately thirty seconds.”
“Then?” Darius waited. “Then like something changing.”
Vanessa became quiet. “Adrian used to say you honor the dead by living well.”
Darius closed his eyes. “Camille would have agreed.” Vanessa asked, “Have you been doing that?”
He thought about work, bills, school pickups, breakfasts, repairs, and exhaustion. “I think I have been surviving responsibly.”
Vanessa laughed softly. “That is very specific.” Darius smiled in the dark.
“Nia is better at living than I am.” Vanessa asked how. “She does whatever is directly in front of her with complete emotional commitment.”
“Math test?” Vanessa asked. “Best math test ever.”
“Sandwich?” Darius continued. “Best sandwich ever.”
“Cartoon?” Vanessa guessed. “Greatest television program ever produced.”
Vanessa laughed. Then she became quiet. “I would like to meet her.”
The sentence seemed to surprise Vanessa herself. “That sounded too fast.” Darius considered it.
“Nia will ask approximately forty personal questions.” Vanessa said, “I can survive boards.”
“You have never faced third-grade direct examination.” Vanessa laughed again.
“Still.” Darius smiled. “I think she would like you.”
Saturday, Vanessa texted two days later. She invited Darius and Nia to dinner. Darius spent half the afternoon deciding what to bring before calling his mother.
“Sweet potato pie.” His mother answered before he finished asking. “And flowers.”