Alexis stood in the doorway of Cody’s room, watching him. His back was to her, and he was sitting cross-legged on the floor, intently painting. The canvas before him was splattered with colors—bold reds, deep blues, and shocking yellows—swirling together in a chaotic blend. It looked like a child’s messy artwork, but Alexis had learned to see something deeper in Cody’s creations, a window into his mind.
“Good morning, Cody,” she called softly.
Cody turned his head, his face lighting up with a wide smile. “Lexi!” he exclaimed, using the nickname he had started calling her. He scrambled to his feet, nearly knocking over the paint jars, and ran to her. “Look, I made this for you!”
Alexis smiled, taking in the chaotic canvas. “It’s beautiful, Cody. Thank you.”
His grin widened, and for a
