The science-wing route looked different now.

Crews had corrected the most hazardous pavement transition, and temporary barriers guided students away from the repair area.

A larger design review remained underway, but Autumn was no longer negotiating the broken threshold each morning.

She came out beside Noah, chatting about a science project.

The improved route gave her room to turn without assistance.

She moved with a confidence I hadn’t seen in the fall.

“Look,” Noah said when they reached my car, “she made it before the bell today.”