"This was when your mommy was five," Charlotte turned another page. "Her first day of kindergarten. She cried so hard her eyes were all red."
"Mommy cried too?" Black's eyes widened.
"Mommy is human too," Sophie said.
"But you never cry."
Sophie didn't reply. Alex looked up at her.
"This one." Charlotte stopped on a page, her finger resting there. In the photo, Sophie was about seven or eight years old, standing under a tree and holding a book with a very serious expression.
"Mommy was reading," Ella said.
"Your mommy has loved reading since she was little," Charlotte closed the album. "Later she went to America, got her master's degree, and worked in a hotel. She worked very hard."
Alex looked up. "Great-Aunt, Mommy got tested for allergens in America. She's only allergic to the pollen of roses and lilies. She's fine with flowers that have light scents like daisies and sunflowers."
"Really? That's good, that's good."
"Was Mommy happy when she was little?" Black asked.
