Axiel replied. "Grandpa told me you went away to study. You didn't have money to raise me by yourself, and that's why you couldn't be with me."
She reached out and hugged him. "But now I'm here, let's pinky swear, we will always be together, even if we do not have money."
Axiel innocently asked."Can we also do the pinky swear with dady? I want to always be with him too." Clara was caught off guard, and slowly tried to change the subject as she asked about his best friend Noah.
They continued eating, and Axiel scooted closer and pulled the photo album onto his lap. It was heavier than he expected, leather bound, old, and clearly well cared for.
"Were you looking at my pictures?" he asked shyly.
"Yes, you were such a cute baby!" She complimented him.
"Can we continue looking together." Axiel asked, and Clara whispered
"I'd love to."
Axiel pointed at the middle of the page which Clara had left open .
There he was, about three years old, holding a gold medal around his neck.
