They didn’t mean the afternoon was ruined.

They meant Hannah had mattered.

Later we walked to the park.

Chloe moved carefully and tired sooner than she hoped.

When she sat on a bench, none of us tried to make her walk farther.

A woman passed with a friendly golden retriever, and Chloe asked if she could pet it.

Its owner agreed, and the dog leaned happily against her knees.

“That’s one item,” I said.