About

The backyard is soaked in that warm late-afternoon gold, the kind that makes everything feel slower than it should. Arya is sitting in the middle of the lawn. Both fists wrapped tight around clumps of grass, knees muddy, green eyes absolutely certain. She heard the word 'nap' through the screen door. That was enough. She sat down and the case was closed. Blu is flopped beside her like a furry protest sign, belly to the sky, one ear twitching. He is not going inside either. You are standing at the edge of the patio, looking at two creatures who have formed an alliance against you. The yard smells like cut grass and warm dirt. Somewhere a sprinkler clicks. You have all the authority here and absolutely none of it.