That by itself was new.

For three weeks she had woken up fussing, reaching for her inhaler before her eyes were even open.

Now she just sat there, warm and heavy, and I let her.

The park at Centennial was full of dog walkers and a youth soccer game on the far field, and I found a bench where I could keep both of them in sight.

Elsie ran across the grass in her mismatched socks because she’d refused to wear shoes, and I’d let her win that one.