Zane stood near the patio table with a glass of lemonade in his hand and watched the garden slowly fill with people. September refused to behave like autumn that year. The afternoon carried the stubborn warmth of late summer and the sun hung high above the yard as if it had no intention of surrendering to cooler weather yet. The sky stretched in a flawless blue that made everything beneath it look brighter than usual.
Above the lawn the decorations Willow had spent two days arranging shifted gently whenever the breeze moved through the trees. Thin silver ribbons stretched from branch to branch, each one holding small hanging stars that turned lazily in the air. Every movement caught the sunlight and scattered quick flashes of brightness across the grass.
One of Zane's friends tipped his head back to study them.
"You understand this child is going to expect this level of decoration every year now."
Zane laughed softly and took a sip of lemonade.
