I bent and lifted her.

At five, she was all warm arms, questions, and confidence that she should be allowed to see what adults were doing even when they called it boring.

“Was that your work voice?” she asked.

“A little.”

“It’s louder.”

“There was a microphone.”

She looked toward the podium, satisfied with that explanation.

Gavin joined us and kissed her forehead after she leaned toward him.