It was ordinary peace.

Noah chose the room with the window facing the backyard.

We painted it green, the same pale shade as his old nursery.

He asked if that was allowed.

“We can use any color we like,” I told him.

He considered his options very seriously, then chose green because it looked like spring.

We packed the silver camera last.

Its screen had a scratch, and the battery door had to be held closed with tape.