Nia stood before the beach photograph. “Is this your husband?” Vanessa nodded. “Yes.”
“He looks happy.” Vanessa’s face softened. “He was.”
Nia looked toward her. “My mama died too.” Vanessa’s eyes immediately filled.
“I know.” Nia continued. “I don’t remember her much because I was little.”
“But Daddy tells me stories.” Nia looked around the room. “Do you tell stories about him?”
Vanessa opened her mouth. No words came. Then she said, “I’m starting to.”
Nia nodded. She crossed the room and hugged Vanessa around the waist without warning. Vanessa froze.
Darius watched her arms lift slowly. She placed them around Nia’s shoulders. For a moment, Vanessa looked like somebody had opened a window inside her chest after years without air.
Nia stepped back. “The pictures are good.” Vanessa wiped one eye quickly. “Thank you.”
“You should look at them.” Nia walked out. Her emotional assignment was apparently complete.
Darius looked toward Vanessa. She gave a shaky laugh. “Eight years old?”
“Terrifying, isn’t it?” Vanessa nodded. “Completely.”
Darius rested one hand against the doorframe near her shoulder. He did not touch her. “You did good.”
Vanessa looked at the open door. “I did not lock it this time.” Darius smiled. “That is something.”
They returned downstairs. Nia immediately asked for pie. Vanessa gave her half of her own slice after Nia finished hers.
“Are you eating that?” Nia asked. Darius said, “Nia.”
“I’m only asking.” Vanessa slid the plate across. “Please take it.”
Nia accepted it without shame. Darius laughed. Vanessa watched the two of them with an expression Darius could not ignore.
At eight-thirty, Nia fell asleep on the couch. Darius carried her to the Expedition and returned for the pie dish. Vanessa walked him to the front door.
The night was warm. Buckhead’s expensive silence no longer seemed empty. It simply seemed temporarily asleep.
“She is extraordinary.” Vanessa looked toward the car where Nia slept. Darius nodded. “She knows.”
Vanessa smiled. Then her expression became serious. “I want more evenings like this.”
Darius looked at her. Vanessa continued before courage changed its mind.
“I do not know exactly what this is.” She touched one hand against the doorframe. “But I have spent six years wanting nothing personally.”