He also wanted to become an engineer, an astronaut, a veterinarian, or possibly all three if the schedule worked out.

He asked whether helicopters could fly on Mars.

I told him why air mattered to rotor blades, and he immediately asked if we could invent better ones.

Lauren listened, occasionally correcting his table manners or reminding him to drink water.

I saw how naturally she could manage three conversations, a hot pan, and a little boy’s excitement without making him feel that he was interrupting.

It wasn’t a performance.