I told her there was always water in the kitchen and that she could wake me if she needed anything.

She asked whether doors had to stay closed at night.

I told her she could leave hers open or shut it, whichever made her comfortable.

She settled on halfway open.

At two in the morning, she appeared in my doorway carrying her pillow.

“The house makes noises.”

“Old houses do.”

“Like creaking knees?”