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“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Zane challenges, leaning back with a smirk.
Dash starts drawing, his strokes quick and confident. “Okay, what’s this?” he asks, stepping back to reveal a series of circles and lines.
“A tree?” Zane guesses immediately, earning a laugh from Dash.
“Yes, but what’s special about this tree?” Dash presses, adding a few more details. “Remember, it’s the memory pile.”
That’s what the pile is! Memories.
Damn you for being so adorable, Dash.
I squint at the drawing. “Is it…the tree you fell out of when you were a kid?”
Dash’s eyes widen in surprise. “Yes! How did you know that?”
I rack my brain, trying to remember if Dash ever mentioned this story. Did he? Or am I just making assumptions based on his personality? “Let me guess,” I say with a smile, hoping to cover my uncertainty, “Was that the first time you realized you could actually get hurt?”
“Right! That was quite the revelation.” Dash laughs, handing the pad over to me. “Your turn, Aria!”
I take the pad, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. “Okay, here goes nothing,” I say, drawing a card from the top.
Favorite childhood toy.
“Oh, this is going to be good,” Quinn teases, leaning in closer.
I sketch quickly, trying to keep it simple but recognizable. “What do you think this is?” I ask, revealing my attempt at a drawing. It’s pretty bad, if I’m being honest.
“A teddy bear?” Dash guesses, squinting at the paper.
“No, not quite,” I say, adding a few more details.
“A stuffed animal?” Zane asks, sounding uncertain.
“Close,” I encourage, feeling a little more confident.
“A Care Bear!” Quinn exclaims, and I nod enthusiastically.
“Yes! You got it!” I laugh, passing the pad to Zane. “I used to have a whole collection of them when I was little.” My mom bought me my very first one.
Aunt Sara bought the rest.
Zane takes it with a calm smile. “All right, let’s see if you can figure this one out,” he says, starting to draw with deliberate strokes.
“A mountain?” Dash guesses, earning a chuckle from Zane.
“No, Dash. It’s not always a mountain,” Zane replies, his tone light.
“A car?” Quinn asks, but Zane shakes his head.
“Think more abstract,” Zane suggests, adding more lines and shapes.
“An arrow?” I guess, feeling like I might be onto something.
“Yes! Good job, Aria,” Zane says, handing the pad back to Dash. “It was the first time my first foster dad taught me how to shoot a bow,” he says nonchalantly, but there is a tightness to his face as he says the words. Clearly, it meant a lot to him.
The clinking of glasses mingles with the rustle of game pieces and the soft pop and crackle of the fireplace. The scent of wood smoke and pizza lingers in the air, wrapping around us like a cozy blanket. The fire casts a soft glow, adding to the comfort of our surroundings. Laughter erupts sporadically, punctuating the air with joyous bursts.
I could so get used to this.
