Chapter 22 - Miles's Milestone
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Miles was turning five.
Claire and Adrian had organized a small, chaotic birthday party at a local park. There were balloons, a questionable homemade cake, and a dozen screaming children running through the grass.
Adrian was acting as the designated referee for a game of tag, while Claire sat on a picnic blanket, chatting with Nora.
"He's getting so big," Nora noted, watching Miles tackle a friend.
"He is," Claire smiled. "He starts kindergarten in the fall."
"Are you ready for that?"
"I think so. It's a new chapter."
Evelyn arrived thirty minutes late. She walked across the grass, looking profoundly out of place in a beige silk suit, holding a neatly wrapped present.
She approached the picnic blanket cautiously.
"Hello, Claire. Nora."
"Hello, Evelyn," Claire greeted her, gesturing to an empty folding chair. "Please, sit."
Evelyn sat down, placing the gift on her lap.
"Where is the birthday boy?"
"Currently attempting to climb the oak tree," Nora pointed toward the chaos.
Evelyn watched her grandson, her expression unreadable.
Miles spotted her and came running over, his knees stained with grass.
"Grandma!"
"Happy birthday, Miles," Evelyn said, offering him the gift.
He tore it open instantly. It was a beautifully illustrated, highly advanced encyclopedia of dinosaurs.
"Whoa," Miles breathed, his eyes wide.
"It is quite comprehensive," Evelyn noted. "Perhaps too advanced, but I believe in setting high expectations."
"Thank you!" Miles said, hugging the heavy book before running back to his friends.
Evelyn watched him go, a small, genuine smile touching her lips.
"He seems happy," Evelyn said quietly.
"He is," Claire agreed.
"You are doing a good job with him."
It was the closest thing to a pure compliment Evelyn had ever offered.
May you like
"We are," Claire corrected gently, acknowledging Adrian's role.
Evelyn nodded, accepting the correction without argument. The rules of engagement had changed, and they were all finally learning the new steps.
