Leo stood against the kitchen doorframe and drew a new pencil line. He looked up. His eyes went wide.
He dropped his pencil, clapped once, and dashed down the hall. He pulled Mom into the kitchen and pointed. 'Look!'
She followed his finger up the marks. 'You grew!' Leo pointed at the new line again and ran to find Dad.
In the living room he tugged Dad's sleeve and marched him to the doorway. 'Look!' Dad squinted up and laughed.
'Last year I had to pick you up to see that high!' Leo stood extra straight and ran to get everyone.
He gathered the whole family at the kitchen door. 'Everyone look!' His little sister stood on her tiptoes and reached.
Her fingers couldn't quite touch it. 'I'm gonna be taller than you one day!' Leo grinned and stood even taller.
That night Leo walked past the doorway on his way to bed. He paused and pressed his palm against the new line.
He kept walking to his room, past all the marks, past the night light, past the door with his name on it.
The newest line was the highest one yet. He thought about tomorrow — and how much bigger he'd be.
Leo walked into his room and closed the door. Outside, the house was quiet. Inside, he was already dreaming.
Tomorrow he would measure again. And the line would be even higher.