When we got inside, I showed Ava around slowly.
The kitchen, the living room, and the downstairs bathroom with the widened doorway.
Her room, which had a reading lamp by the bed and shelves waiting for books she didn’t own yet.
She barely reacted.
Then, when we were back in the hallway, she looked up at me and asked, « Can I see the basement? »
I actually laughed a little from surprise.
« The basement? »
She nodded.
« Sure, » I said. « Later, though. It’s mostly boxes and old tools. »
To my surprise, she looked disappointed.
She did not have a dramatic disappointment expression.
Just a brief, visible drop in her face, as if something important had been postponed.
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