I turn and steal a glance at Daeja as she frolics through the tall grasses nearby. A blue butterfly floats past her, then circles back and lands on the tip of her nose. Daeja’s eyes widen, and her gaze flicks to me, her stance cautiously rigid. I give her a reassuring smile, and she looks back at the butterfly, its wings twitching in the breeze. In the blink of an eye, the butterfly lifts off her nose and flutters back through the clearing. Daeja chases after it, her immature wings flaring and disturbing her balance. She topples over then quickly rises again and stumbles as she continues her
...more
