On evenings when the weather was pleasant, Carlos and Mateo walked around the neighborhood.
At first, the walks were short.
Carlos was often tired after work and did not feel particularly energetic.
But he gradually began looking forward to them.
Mateo used the time to talk about school, friends, animals, and whatever unusual thought had captured his imagination.
He wanted to know why the moon sometimes appeared during daylight.
He wondered whether squirrels recognized individual humans.
He asked how many toy cars could fit inside a real car.
Some questions were easy.
Others required Carlos to admit that he did not know.
Mateo seemed delighted by this discovery.
"Dad, you're supposed to know everything."
Carlos laughed.
"That's what I thought when I was eight, too."
Their walks became opportunities for conversations that might never have happened during rushed meals or distracted evenings.
Elena joined them whenever possible.
The three of them noticed gardens, watched clouds, and greeted neighbors.
