The driver dropped him off quietly outside the townhouse.
Jonathan loosened his tie and smiled faintly as he climbed the steps. He imagined surprising Oliver—maybe taking him out for ice cream, something he hadn’t done in weeks.
He unlocked the door as quietly as possible.
Inside, the house was peaceful.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, and from somewhere deeper in the house he could hear a child’s laughter.
Oliver’s laughter.
Jonathan’s heart warmed instantly.
He slipped off his shoes and walked slowly down the hallway toward the kitchen, following the sound.
Then he stopped.
What he saw made his eyes widen in shock.
In the middle of the kitchen floor, Maria was lying flat on her stomach, arms folded under her chin like a pillow.
Standing on her back—carefully balancing with both arms raised in the air—was Oliver.
The little boy wore his favorite suspenders and a tiny straw hat. He looked like a miniature explorer who had just conquered a mountain.
“Look, Maria!” Oliver giggled. “I’m the king of the mountain!”
Maria laughed softly.
“You sure are,” she said gently. “But remember what we practiced. Balance slowly.”
Oliver wobbled slightly, then steadied himself again.
Both of them were laughing.
And for a moment, Jonathan simply stared.
In his hand he still held the envelope of cash he had brought home to pay Maria her first week’s bonus.
But now his mouth hung open in disbelief.
“What on earth is going on here?” he blurted.
Maria froze.
Oliver turned around happily.
