Giulia left school with her backpack half-slipping off her shoulder and her hair already messy from the Seville wind. Still, she smiled when she saw me leaning against the car, and ran to hug me as if she hadn't seen me in days. She had that gift of turning everything at home — into warmth. A smile was all it took.
"I'm hungry!" she said, holding my hand as we walked to the car. "Today there was weird meat at school lunch."
"Weird how?" I asked, laughing.
"It looked like old shoe."
I burst out laughing.
"Okay then. Let's make something tasty at home. How about rice, eggs, and tomatoes? The way you like it?"
"And grated cheese on top?" She widened her eyes.
"Of course!"
As I drove back home, my heart was a jumble of feelings. I still couldn't believe I had accepted Miguel's invitati
