When Harper returned, Natalie showed her the album one page at a time.

She did not rush to explain every face.

Harper chose the pictures that interested her: Paige on a bicycle, Paige holding a kitten, Paige wearing a ridiculous pink hat at a school play.

Brandon promised to make copies for her.

“Can we put them in my memory book?” Harper asked me.

“Absolutely.”

On the ride home, she said it had been a good day.

She also said she was glad she could still have me all to herself afterward.