Ellie was standing in the front doorway in her pajamas. Purple pajamas with yellow stars on them. Her hair was a mess. She was holding Mr. Hops by his crooked ear.
She was looking past me.
At Danny.
At his face. At the scar on his face and neck. Shiny and pink.
She stared at him for a long time.
Danny stared back at her.
Then Ellie’s face changed.
She dropped Mr. Hops on the porch.
“Fire boy?” she whispered.
Danny made a sound like he’d been hit.
He took a step forward. Then he stopped. Like he wasn’t sure he was allowed.
Ellie came down the porch steps. Barefoot. In her starry pajamas. Past me, sitting on the step. Down the walk.
She stopped in front of him.
She tipped her head back to look up at his face. At the scar.
“You got bigger,” she said.
