Then one Thursday evening, Ethan’s phone rang.
It was Cecilia.
Afterward, he came into the kitchen.
“My mom asked if Milo has a game Saturday.”
I looked up.
“Why?”
“She wants to come.”
Not Alice.
Not a family event.
Milo’s game.
We asked him.
He thought about it, then shrugged.
“Okay.”
Saturday morning, Cecilia showed up five minutes before the game started.
Cecilia didn’t bring a present.
She didn’t make a speech.
She sat on the metal bleachers for an hour and watched Milo play.
Afterward, when he ran over carrying his water bottle, she stood.
“You played well,” she said.
Milo gave her a cautious smile.
“Thanks.”
Then Cecilia asked, “Do you play again next Saturday?”
“Yeah.”
She hesitated.
“Would it be okay if I came again?”
Milo looked at Ethan.
Ethan didn’t answer for him.
Neither did I.
Finally Milo looked back at her.
“Yeah. You can come.”
