He remembers those days. He hasn't gotten to regale anyone with a ridiculous made up story about waterfowl in over a year. Maybe that's what's been lacking in his life of late.

"Oh, but I'd need a volunteer," Elisha says. "And Noah still hasn't forgiven me for knocking him down to Six." He pauses. "Or the broken wrist and dislocated knee, I suppose."

He smiles over at her. "Perhaps if things ever calm down, we can still do lessons. Or even if they don't. You have to make time for these things."