Gabe lingers near the doorstep like he is not sure if he should come in.
"You can go rest," I tell him, lifting my keys. "It's been a big morning."
He nods but doesn't move. "Thank you," he says. "For letting me be part of this."
I look down at the welcome mat, then back at him. "He had fun."
"So did I."
That lands harder than he means it to.
We leave it there. He walks to his car. I close the door before I can say something stupid.
The day rolls into evening faster than I expect. Jace has a short nap on the couch, eats pasta for dinner, watches a cartoon, then starts getting sleepy again. I'm brushing his teeth when the knock comes.
Soft. Hesitant. Familiar.
Jace pulls the toothbrush out of his mouth. "Mama, who's that?"
"No idea," I say, even though I already know.
I wipe his mouth, set him down, and open the door.
Gabe stands there with a small paper bag in his hand. His hair is a little messy from the wind. His shirt is different. His eyes look tired in a way that makes something in my chest move.
"Hey," he says. "I didn't want to interrupt your night. I just… saw this and thought of him."
He holds the bag out.
I open it. It's a small red toy truck, sturdy and simple, the kind I would've begged for when I was a kid. Jace appears beside me like a magnet.
"Is that for me?"
Gabe crouches down. "Yeah. I saw it in the store. It made me think of your car race."
Jace grabs the truck and studies it like it's a priceless artifact. "It has wheels that turn," he announces.
"That's usually the point," Gabe says, smiling.
Jace rolls the truck across the floor, then back again, then across Gabe's shoe. "It's fast."
"I can tell."
I lean against the doorway and watch them. The moment feels small. Quiet. Warm in a way that scares me a little.
"Say thank you," I remind Jace.
He hops once in place. "Thank you, Gabe."
"You're welcome, buddy."
Gabe stands up again. He looks at me, then at the house behind me. "I won't stay. I just wanted to drop that off."
"Okay," I say. My voice comes out soft.
He steps back. "Goodnight, Lena."
"Goodnight."
