She turned away for several minutes.

Elena held her while she cried.

Then Willa returned with a drawing and asked whether I’d take it to Chicago so the empty space on my desk wouldn’t look lonely.

I promised I would.

At the airport I placed the drawing beside my laptop and took a photograph for Elena.

There was no grand victory.

Willa had been disappointed, and I’d allowed her to be disappointed without trying to purchase a different feeling.

Somehow that seemed more important than the business deal waiting for me on Monday.