The following morning, June announced that a paper crown she had made at school would make anyone who wore it the ruler of breakfast.

Hazel insisted rulers still had to wash their hands, and Rose appointed Buddy the stuffed dog minister of pancakes.

I watched them negotiate the rules with enormous seriousness, then laughed so hard I forgot the coffee cooling beside me.

There was no secret account, no boardroom, no family portrait in that kitchen.

Just three children making a world where everyone got a place at the table.

I hoped they would carry that lesson into every home they built.