When she saw me, she ran over and hugged me.

“You came!” she said, as though she had been uncertain until the final second.

“Of course I did,” I told her.

“You invited me.” She took my hand and led me from picture to picture, explaining techniques I barely understood.

Daniel joined us and pointed out a watercolor he particularly liked.

Claire came over afterward carrying a tray of paper cups.

For several minutes we all stood together discussing the artwork as though we were an ordinary family attending an ordinary school event.