Page 29 of After the End

He leaned down to see which story it was.

“Oh yes! That one’s really funny!”

“And this one made me laugh too,” she said, flicking back a few pages.

She angled the book slightly toward Nassim so he could read it too. The child burst out laughing.

“Yeah, that’s a good one! It’s one of my favorites.”

“Which one is your absolute favorite?”

“This one!”

He grabbed the book and leafed through it until he found the story he was looking for. Tiphaine watched him out of the corner of her eye, delighted to see him loosening up. He pointed to a page and she read it, then laughed heartily.

“That’s very good! Have you finished reading it?”

“Almost.”

“Do you want me to read you the rest?”

“Yes, please.”

Tiphaine made room beside her for Nassim. She put an arm around him and began to read.

Sitting there, Tiphaine felt suffused with a happiness she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Chapter 22

As soon as she walked through the front door, Nora’s senses were assailed by something unexpected. There was a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Something simmering on the stove. A cozy, liquid, welcoming warmth. She hung her jacket on the coatrack and turned to the kitchen to see what was going on.

Through the half-open door she saw Tiphaine, an apron wrapped around her waist and her hands protected by oven mitts, taking a pot off the stove. It smelled like soup. Surprised, Nora pushed open the door and went in.

“Tiphaine?”

Her neighbor turned, placed the pot on the table, and greeted Nora cheerfully. “Hey there! How was your day?”

“It was good, thanks!”

“Maman!” Nassim emerged from the dining room, rushed up to his mother, and gave her a hug.

“I took the liberty of making some soup,” said Tiphaine, taking off the oven mitts. “I found some vegetables in the fridge and potatoes under the sink. Is that what you had planned for tonight?”

“No...Yes...”

Nora seemed to snap out of her astonishment and looked at Tiphaine with an expression of contrite gratitude.

“Tiphaine. You really shouldn’t have. You’re already helping me out so much.”

“Don’t be silly! It keeps me from getting bored.”

“No, honestly, it bothers me! I won’t dare ask you for another favor.”

“Don’t be silly.”

Tiphaine took off the apron and looked around to see where to put it. Nora took it from her.

“Thank you,” said Tiphaine with a smile. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “Okey dokey! I can’t hang around, my men are waiting for me.”