Emily bounced into breakfast, dropping her stuffed bear onto the table. “He doesn’t like the attic either,” she announced, chewing toast. Michael raised an eyebrow. “Who’s he?” Before Emily could reply, Sarah chuckled, wiping her hands. “Just one of her games. She’s always inventing things and people. Don’t encourage it.”
Michael let it slide, though the edge in Sarah’s tone caught his attention. He watched Emily swing her legs under the chair, humming cheerfully, while Sarah busied herself at the counter. The scene was ordinary, almost perfect, yet Emily’s strange phrasing stuck in his mind long after breakfast was over.