He sneaked a brief tour on his way to the bedroom.

Layna was somehow standing by the doorframe, observing something in there. He was not sure. Nothing was in the room except for a wide master bed and a wooden desk.

"Is this where your Mama sleeps?"

She shook her head.

"Usually it's for Uncle Edward or Aunt Lydie if they stay the night."

She made her way to the corner desk. Part of the surface was discolored. Leaky ceiling above it, maybe?

Layna whispered, "This is a mean desk. I don't like this desk."

Sometimes he was not convinced she was three.

"Why?"

She had big, round eyes darker than his or Kayla's that were always inquisitive.

"Whenever Mama's here, she's always crying. So I give her a hug. She says it makes her feel better, but the desk always makes her cry again."

He did not have time to mull over the implications before Layna was poking his arm.

"Would you tell me a bedtime story? Mama looks busy today."

"Sure. Which one do you want?"

"This!"