The note described a tired evening ending with a small missing thing found beneath the couch.

“Ordinary days,” Daniel said.

“Then why did you tell me ordinary days were only something you endured?”

He moved a place card until its corner matched the others.

The lake drawing followed.

Seven figures stood near the boat, the crooked dock reaching into blue water.

Elliot’s note recalled Daniel taking all the boys while I went to an appointment.

He had come back in wet shoes, saying he had never been so tired or so happy.