The evening of the exhibition, she wore a navy sweater and the sneakers we’d never bought on the day of her emergency-room visit.

We had bought those later, together, after she was well enough to shop.

“Do I look okay?” she asked.

“You look like someone who’s about to explain science to adults who know less than she does.”

She laughed.

“So, normal.”

Ruth met us at school and brought a small bouquet of daisies.

We wandered among displays about wetlands, electricity, and the solar system until we reached Sadie’s table.