*Giovani*

I stood behind my desk, staring out through the old, multi-paned window into the garden below, where I could see Dahlia and Olivia playing some sort of clapping game with Elio on a picnic blanket in the evening light.

Olivia missed a step intentionally, and Elio toppled backward, clearly overcome by giggles. A slow smile crept over my face, but it was tinged with frustration. I knew I should be down there with them, enjoying the time after dinner with my ...