Instead, she finds Grace having what her own mother would call a “moment”: those seconds no one is supposed to see when a mother has a tiny breakdown in the facade she shows the world. Of all mothers, Donovan guesses Grace has fewer of these moments than most, even in the multitude of years Van — Jakub — says they have been on their own, in hiding, with no family or country where they belong. She debates whether or not she should make some kind of noise to alert Grace, but in the end, her nervous fidgeting makes the decision for her. Grace looks up and appears unashamed of her vulnerability having been witnessed. “You'll forgive me, please,” she says. “I did not think you would be downstairs so soon. I was thinking of making some tea. Would you like some?” Donovan nods and follows Grace to the kitchen, perching on a bar stool while Grace moves from the counters to the stove in the graceful manner Donovan has always associated her with.
