I stayed hidden behind the glass door.
The little girl wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.
“I’m really sorry.”
Lucien smiled.
“I think the flowerpot will forgive you.”
She giggled.
“It’s my grandma’s favorite.”
“Then we’ll replace it.”
“I don’t have money.”
“You don’t need any.”
He picked up the colorful ball lying in the bushes and handed it to her.
“There you go.”
She hugged it tightly.
“Thank you, mister.”
“My name is Lucien.”
“I’m Lily.”
She looked at him curiously.
“You’re really tall.”
He laughed.
“I’ve been told.”
“And you’re not scary.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“No?”
“My grandma says rich people in big houses are mean.”
He pretended to think about it.
“Your grandma hasn’t met enough rich people.”
Lily smiled shyly before running toward the open gate
