We made paper snowflakes, even though Christmas was over, and built a fort out of sofa cushions.

Paisley approached Chloe with a small envelope of her own.

Inside was a drawing of all three girls riding bicycles.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come find you when you were in the kitchen,” she said.

“I thought you were helping, but Mom says helping is when you get to choose.” Chloe looked at the drawing for a long time.

“You can ride the blue bike,” she told Paisley.

They returned to the fort without another word.