The door to her apartment opened soft and silent behind her, its hush extending a quiet secrecy. Mira grasped the hand of the little Eli. Fingers like warm wood beneath hers. Gregory who was standing beneath then looked up at the two, one arm up high, one hanging loose. Dust drifted through the sun , filtering through curtains almost transparent.
"Gregory," Mira called, letting go of her son's hand. "What are you doing here?"
The boy's round eyes darted from his mother back to Gregory. His lips curled into a smile, the kind that bore both mischief and trust. "Hi," he said, his voice bright. "Are you a wizard?"
Gregory froze in mid-step, and Mira put a hand on her heart. She heard the wood floor creak under his hesitation. "I…. no, I'm not a wizard," he said, attempting to swallow. "But
