Leo zooms his shiny red car across the smooth jungle floor. Tires hum a fast 'vroom-vroom' sound.
The young boy grins wide, eyes fixed on the finish line near the big fern leaf.
Mia steps into the sunny room, her shadow stretching long across the tiles. She points at the red car.
She looks up at Leo with hopeful eyes. He pulls the car close to his chest, hiding it behind his back.
Mia sighs, turning slowly toward the window where butterflies dance outside.
He notices how the empty space beside him feels suddenly too big.
Leo pushes the second red car forward; it bumps gently into Mia’s bumper. They race side-by-side.
They laugh as their wheels click-clack over the wood grain. The cars speed past the sunbeam.
