The morning started with the smell of cinnamon and the low hum of jazz drifting from the kitchen speaker. August woke slowly, blinking against the soft light spilling through her curtains. For a moment, she just lay there, listening. No shouting. No alarms. Just the clink of dishes and Evelyn's voice humming along to the music.
She got up, padded down the hallway in her socks, and found Mark at the stove, flipping pancakes with a spatula in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.
"Morning, kiddo," he said, glancing over his shoulder.
Evelyne turned from the sink, her hair tied up in a loose scarf. "You slept in. That's a good sign."
August shrugged, but there was a small smile tugging at her mouth. "I guess."
"Sit," Mark said. "We're making a feast."
The table was already half-covered—sliced fruit, warm croissants, a jar of honey, a bowl of scrambled eggs. Evelyne poured her a glass of orange juice and kissed the top of her head like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Blueberries or strawberries?" Mark asked.
"Both," August said.
He smiled and added both to her plate.
Evelyne slid the last pancake onto a warm dish and set it in front of her. "You're spoiled," she teased.
August shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I don't mind."
They ate slowly, talking about nothing in particular. Evelyne told a story about getting lost in a vineyard in Italy. Mark teased her about her terrible sense of direction. August listened, chewing quietly, letting the warmth of their voices settle into her bones.
Even laughed lightly which surprised her new parents all the time.. It was hard to get August to laugh..
"who wants to play?" Evelyne asked
"i want to.. Is it a board game?" August asked smiling widely..
"yes of course.. Someone is fond of mind games"
Evelyne went to the garage and pulled out an old board... something with wooden pieces and faded cards. They all settled as they played on the living room floor, sunlight pooling across the rug. Evelyne was ruthless with the game . Mark cheated when he thought no one was looking. August caught him every time.
"dad you keep cheating!"
"You're sharp," he said, laughing as she called him out again.
"I pay attention," she replied.
After the game they spent the afternoon in the backyard. Evelyne showed her how to deadhead the roses, how to tell when the soil needed water. Mark brought out a radio and tuned it to a station that played old soul records. At one point, he pulled Evelyne into a slow dance on the grass, and she laughed like she hadn't in years.
August sat on the porch steps, watching them. She didn't say much. But she didn't look away either. She loved this and whatever crap she does in future she will try not hurt them...or make them hate her..
Later, they made sandwiches and ate them on a blanket under the oak tree. Evelyne braided August's short hair while Mark read aloud from a book of short stories. The wind was soft. The sky was wide and blue. For a few hours, the world felt far away.
This is probably August's best day ever.. This is the only thing Rafel did good for her..
—
As the sun began to dip, they moved back inside. Evelyne lit a candle in the kitchen. Mark started a fire in the living room, even though it wasn't cold. It was just something he liked to do on Sundays.
August curled up on the couch, a blanket over her knees, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands.
Evelyne sat beside her. "so baby we wanted to talk to you about something."
August looked up.
Mark joined them, sitting on the armrest.
August blinked. "Oh. Hope you not taking me back"...
"no..no ofcourse not sweery" Mark assured
"you're starting school next week"..
"It's a small school," Evelyne said. "Not far. We've already met with the principal. They know your situation. You'll have support."
"You'll be in Year 3 considering your intelligence " Mark added. "They've got a great art program. And a library that's apparently bigger than our living room."
August looked down at her mug. "Okay. I love libraries anyway "
Evelyne reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll take it slow. First day, we'll walk you in. You don't have to be anything but yourself."
August nodded."the uniform better be cute"
That made her parents laugh..
"oww someone is concerned about her dress code huh"..
"well its a cute uniform.. Its red and white..noticed how much you love red..." Eve said.
They sat with her, the fire crackling softly, the warmth of the day still lingering in the air.
And for the first time in a long time, August didn't feel like she was pretending.
She just felt… held...
But Rafel was worrying...