“That’s a conversation.”

I had not expected help from her, and I wasn’t going to forget it.

Robert began asking Mason about school.

Mason told him about their science club and their experiment involving snow insulation.

Caleb demonstrated an imaginary avalanche with the bread basket until I asked him not to send crumbs over the tablecloth.

Tristan sat almost entirely silent.

He watched the boys exchange jokes, divide rolls, and anticipate each other’s needs.

They moved like a little team formed over years he had never seen.