Tomás noticed the change.
Leo waited for Marina in the mornings, followed her with his eyes, and laughed again.
One morning, Tomás found Leo arranging fruit slices with Marina.
“Bananas for the smile,” she said, adding strawberries for cheeks.
“Blueberries for eyes!” Leo giggled.
Tomás smiled from the doorway. Marina nodded. “Breakfast, Mr. Montes?”
“Yes, please,” he said. It felt almost normal.
That night, Tomás peeked into Leo’s room. His son was asleep. On the shelf sat a drawing—a robot with wings, piloted by a smiling boy.
Tomás stared at it. Hope radiated from every line.
He placed it back gently and kissed Leo’s forehead. “Goodnight, champ.”
