like this when you left.”

I closed the app.

For several seconds, Mark and I sat silently.

Finally, he said:

“Well.”

I looked toward the stairs.

“Noah’s awake.”

“Probably.”

“He was definitely awake when we checked.”

“Definitely.”

We went upstairs.

Noah sat fully dressed on the edge of his bed with his hands clasped between his knees.

Part 3:

He looked like he was continue reading …