They still noticed empty places and asked questions at unexpected times.

I tried to answer without making them responsible for how difficult the answer was for me.

When Caleb asked whether Elliott would make pancakes again, I said I did not expect it and that we could still make our own.

“Round ones?”

“I’ll try.”

“Broken ones are okay.”

I thanked him for the permission and put another piece of toast on the plate.

A week later, I took Caleb with me to the school office for paperwork that needed confirming.