I think he will, I said.

Can I wear these, she said, touching the taped shoe with her toe.

You can wear them until we get you new ones.

After my birthday?

I looked at the crown.

We will figure it out, I said, which was the sentence I used when the honest answer was that I did not know, and she nodded and went back to the mirror, satisfied, because at seven a mother saying we will figure it out is the same as the thing being figured out.

I did not put the scissors away.