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Emily petted Tyson’s head, and he dropped his chin down onto her legs, laying like a blanket over her “Can we take a picture of hiht blue eyes

Darryl smiled “Tyson is yours for the next half hour Take as many as you like”

“Really?” Emily beamed

Darryl nodded “Santa’s treat to you for being such a good and brave girl this year”

Eed Tyson around his neck

Out of the corner of his eye, Darryl noticed Penelope sidle up to hi everyone’s attention, “I think we can do one better Can I borrow that paper there and pencil crayons?”

“Oh, sure, of course,” E them to Penelope

Penelope scooted around to the other side of the bed, and sat on the very end, cross-legged, like she belonged there And for whatever reason, that caused E Darryl wonder if people were too careful around her Penelope was anything but careful, probably exactly the type of person Emily would love to be around now

It suddenly occurred to him that because Penelope lived in the moment, maybe she understood Emily in ways Darryl simply couldn’t

“Tell s,” Penelope said with a smile, the sketchbook up, hidden from Emily

E floppy ears “I love tacos and sunshine…oh, and the beach…how it’s squishy in your toes…”

Darryl tried to keep listening to every word Emily said, but he becairl Yeah, Darryl was good with playing with kids He’d always liked the to have a few ankle biters of his own one day But talking and listening…that was so else entirely

And Penelope excelled in this area She paid attention to the girl Asking all the right questions Garnering a bright sparkle in Emily’s eyes from the conversation

Ten minutes later, Penelope placed the pencil down next to her “Okay, I think I’m done” She spun the sketchbook around

E up “Oh, , Emmy, look how beautiful that is”