Behind her, in a small tidy living room, were two little backpacks slumped against the wall, two pairs of tiny sneakers by the door, a scatter of plastic toys across a rug.

Then two children came out of the hallway.

They were maybe four and a half.

A boy with dark hair, and a girl with quick, bright, curious eyes.

“Mateo, Ivy — say hello to our guest,” Mrs.

Garcia said gently.