Little Mario scrunched his nose and shook his head. "No," he dered, with a look of determination that could have rivaled someone pledging allegiance.


    Stewart studied his small face for a moment, then looked away and continued eating.


    Garry nced at Stewart, but seeing his indifference, let it go and turned his attention back to his own te.


    "What does ''physiological aversion'' mean?" Little Nina asked, swallowing a bite of potatoes, her eyes wide with curiosity.


    James smiled and exined, "Well, it just means that while we think potatoes taste good, when Little Mario eats them, they probably tastepletely different to him."


    "Huh?" Little Nina blinked at him. "So what do they taste like to Little Mario?"


    James considered this. "Maybe sour? Bitter? Or like... a wet mop? Maybe like something from a sewer?"


    Stewart, who had been eating with perfectposure, paused mid-chew.


    Little Mario pointed at the potatoes and dered, "Gross."


    Stewart''s movements stilled, his eyes unreadable.


    "Potatoes are so tasty! Howe you think they''re gross?" Little Nina shook her head with genuine sympathy. "Poor Little Mario!"


    "It''s just how he''s wired. But really, Little Mario isn''t picky about much else," Carol said, ruffling his hair affectionately.


    Briony grabbed a few green beans, snipped them into bite-sized pieces, and ced them in Little Mario''s bowl. "If you don''t like the potatoes, that''s fine. Green veggies are full of vitamins-eat up."


    "Th-thank you!" Little Mario''s eyes sparkled as he looked up at her.


    Briony was quietly pleased to see how much morefortable he was talking to people now.


    She''d been observing him for a while, and honestly, she wasn''t convinced he was autistic. It seemed more likely that he''d been born a bit frail, and with only adults around, he''d been so carefully looked after that he never really felt the need to express himself. Over time, that had just slowed his speech development.


    With that in mind, Briony turned to Garry. "Yesterday, when you took Little Mario to see Dr. Ellsworth, what did he say?"


    Garry replied, "Dr. Ellsworth said Little Mario''s weak constitution is congenital. He suggested we help him with a better diet and some gentle massage therapy suited for kids."


    "Dr. Ellsworth is really good at that," Briony said.


    Garry raised an eyebrow. "Is he, now?"


    Briony could tell he was skeptical. She continued, "When Little Nina was a baby, her immune system was awful. She hardly put on any weight and was always sick. She''s allergic to a lot of things-feeding her was a nightmare."


    Garry nced at Little Nina. "Really? You''d never guess now."


    These days, Little Nina was a ball of energy.


    Brionyughed, "That''s all thanks to Dr. Ellsworth. Someone told me about him, so I went to see him in the next town over. After his treatment, Little Nina gradually got better. Now that her digestion''s improved, she absorbs everything, and her resistance is way up."


    "Absolutely," Gwendolyn White chimed in, smiling. "Just look at her now—she eats with such gusto and looks so healthy."


    Garry looked at Little Nina again.


    Stewart also stopped eating, ncing unconsciously at his daughter.


    The little girl was thoroughly focused on her meal-one bite of food, then another,pletely absorbed.


    Carney chuckled, "Our


    na is a chatterbox. The only time she stops talking


    is when she''s eating or sleeping."


    The adults at the table burst intoughter.


    Little Nina heard them and looked up, blinking innocently. "Why are you allughing?"


    Briony stroked her daughter''s hair, her eyes crinkling with affection. "We just love watching you eat. You''re adorable."


    "Watching me eat?" Little Nina swallowed a mouthful of green beans and frowned, her face serious. "How does watching me eat fill you up?"


    Everyone stifled augh.


    She scooped up another spoonful of warm soup and dered, "Watch all you want. No matter how many people stare, it won''t slow me down!"


    The table erupted inughter.


    Thanks to Little Nina, the whole atmosphere at lunch felt lighter.


    Carol looked at Little Nina, so healthy and cheerful, and couldn''t help but feel inspired.


    After the meal, she finally worked up the courage to persuade Garry to take Briony''s advice and bring Little Mario to see Dr. Ellsworth again.


    Garry was open-minded, so he and Carol set out with Little Mario for the doctor''s office.


    Little Nina, who didn''t have preschool that day, insisted on joining them.


    James, not quite trusting Garry to keep an eye on Little Nina, decided to tag along too.


    After they left, Briony stayed to help Gwendolyn White clear the table.


    Stewart and Carney sat beneath the old oak tree in the yard, brewing tea.


    In the kitchen, the sound of running water filled the air.


    At the sink, Gwendolyn washed dishes and asked, "Stewart''s not leaving yet, is he?"


    Briony shook her head. "I don''t know."


    Gwendolyn nced out the window. "Still out there drinking tea with Carney! After all that whiskey with Mr. Fergusonst night, now tea until sunrise—and he''s still so energetic. Youth, I guess."


    Briony didn''t answer, staring thoughtfully at the soap bubbles floating in the sink. Gwendolyn turned to look at her. "I think he wants to talk to you alone."


    Briony''s eyshes fluttered. She turned on the faucet and rinsed away the suds. "There''s nothing left for us to say."


    Gwendolyn sighed. "Stewart really is a hard one to read..."


    When the kitchen was tidy, Briony and Gwendolyn stepped outside.


    Just then, Stewart came in through the door.


    He caught Briony''s eye and said quietly, "Can we talk?"


    Briony frowned.


    "I''ll go find Carney," Gwendolyn said, giving Briony''s hand a gentle squeeze


    before heading out to the yard.