The next morning, Marina brought a wooden box of old board games.
“My son and I used to play these,” she said. “He’s older now, but I kept them.”
“You have a son?” Leo asked.
“Yes,” she smiled. “He lives with his father now.”
They played Snakes and Ladders. Marina didn’t let Leo win—she played fair.
When she slid down a long snake, she threw up her hands. “No way! That’s not fair!”
Leo stared—then burst into laughter. Marina laughed too. The room filled with joy.
