From that cushion, I had a clear view through the tall front window out to the porch steps and the gravel driveway beyond.

At three forty-five, the shadows from the pine trees stretched across the front lawn.

A silver sedan turned the corner from the main road and pulled into our driveway.

Daniel parked close to the garage doors, backing up a few feet to give Ava enough room to open her passenger door against the boxwood hedge.

Ava stepped out onto the gravel first, slinging her black soccer gym bag over her left shoulder.

She was wearing her white leather sneakers, now streaked with brown dirt from the field.