Later, the dishes were done, the stove wiped clean, and the chairs gently pushed in.
Mr. Dand had gone to his room early, claiming he wanted to rest his "old bones," though they knew he just wanted to sit by the window and listen to the radio in peace.
Billy and Artur lingered in their room.
Artur sat on the floor, back against the bedframe, holding a worn photo of his mother in front of the old school building, hand raised mid-laugh, a chalkboard behind her.
Billy sat cross-legged beside him, resting his chin in his hand. "She looks... happy."
Artur gave a small nod, voice quiet. "She was always like that after class. Said the kids reminded her life could be simple, even when it wasn't."
Billy leaned his head against the bedframe too, shoulder just brushing Artur's. "Do you think it'll feel like that for you?"
