He promised to practice.

There were awkward moments, too.

Natalie once sent an expensive coat without asking, and Harper worried she was supposed to wear it instead of the patched one she loved.

I called Natalie and explained that gifts should be offered, not used to replace choices.

She apologized and asked what Harper actually needed.

A week later, she came over with a packet of flower seeds because Harper had mentioned wanting to grow something near our front steps.

They spent an afternoon planting them together.