I told him Hope had been born with a difference in how part of her spine developed and that specialists were helping us understand what she needed.

I was careful not to make promises about things no one knew yet.

“Can she still be my cousin?” he asked.

My eyes filled so quickly that I looked down at the soup.

“Of course she can.

Nothing changes that.”

He frowned, trying to see why anyone would think otherwise.

“Then I’ll give her the giraffe.”