It was the first time she had sounded impatient about anything besides doctors asking repetitive questions.

I considered it a good sign.

Lucas visited twice a week.

Elena helped us preserve his routines, explaining that he should not become responsible for cheering Rachel up.

He could tell her about spelling tests and the class hamster; he could also say he didn’t feel like talking.

Sometimes he arrived with a drawing and left after ten minutes.

Sometimes he stayed through an entire board game.

We let his willingness set the pace.