Paulina looked over at her sister, who was dressed in a pretty pink skirt and T-shirt to match. Nia’s outfit was in stark contrast to Paulina’s dirty jeans and stained T-shirt. “Let’s go sit outside. I want to talk to you.” Alarm suffused Nia’s face and she gripped the pen she held. “Has something bad happened?” “No, sweetie.” God, she hated that they always expected the worst now. The common reaction also made her more patient with Nia. “Nothing bad at all.” Paulina took water bottles from the fridge and headed out behind the music hall frame. The mid-May evening was lovely, as the sun still shone and the trees rustled with a slight breeze. They reached the picnic table where she and Adam had eaten. Nia said, “It’s beautiful back here.” “Adam and I are thinking about doing some fundraising for a sculpture garden.”
