What followed was a day neither of them would easily forget. First, the seafood restaurant, where Iris ordered with a comical seriousness that contrasted with her size, pointing at the menu with her index finger and pronouncing each dish carefully.
Then a two-scoop ice cream in a waffle cone, which she chose after deliberating for a full three minutes in front of the display case.
After that, a candy shop where Thomas told her to pick one, and she picked four because "technically they're small and count as one." He didn't argue.
And at some point in the afternoon, in front of a shop window, Iris stopped.
Inside, there was an action figure wearing the silver and blue suit of a heroine. Tall and stylized, with golden hair painted swept back and an expression of authority on its plastic face.
Thomas bought it without her having to ask twice.
◇◆◇
Night arrived with lights.
