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connected, colored light flared like fireworks against the dark sky and Ali clapped. “Looky. It’s blinkin’.”
    “Good job, soldier.”
    Ali straightened up and lifted his hand to his brow to salute. “I’m gonna be just like you.”
    His throat closed and he stared at the flashing lights adorning Sarah’s little house until they no longer blurred. But now, he realized what he had lost. This little boy. He would never have him for a son.
    “I love it. I love it.” Ali clasped his hands together, transfixed. “I love it! I want more. Can we do more, Dr. Mike? Pleeeease? ”
    “You want more? ” He hoped his voice sounded normal. “Isn’t this enough?”
    “No, sir.” Eyes wide, face happy, dancing in place, Ali was obviously thriving here with Sarah.
    Could he fight for the right to adopt Ali? Should he? Maybe that was the bigger question. Ali had lost everyone he had loved; he did not need to lose Sarah, too.
    Mike shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Turn off your heart, man. Just turn it off. He didn’t let his gaze stray to the golden light of the window, where he might see Sarah. “You need enough lights for the Christmas tree, don’t you?”
    “But I want lots.” Ali jumped in place. “So they flash and flash.”
    A chuckle broke loose. “If I were you, I would beg Sarah to put the Christmas tree right at that big window there, so you can see the lights from the front of the house, too.”
    “Yeah. Cool.” Ali clasped his hands together. “Those lights flash. That’s what Sarah said.”
    It amazed him how fast the boy was acclimating to his new country and new life with Sarah. Sure, being in school now with kids his own age helped, but it also said a lot about Ali’s resilience and Sarah’s love for him. Mike wrestled down his bitterness.
    “Sarah!” Ali bounded away, full of energy and pounded up the porch steps. “Sarah!”
    “Who’s making all this noise out here?” Sarah’s gentle voice was full of laughter. “I can’t believe it’s you, Ali. For a minute there, I thought it was Clarence.”
    Ali laughed and it was a precious sound, full of glee. “No, it’s me! You gotta come see.”
    Mike had forgotten Sarah’s charm. Maybe because it tore him apart to remember. But there it was, in the sweeping smile and brilliant eyes as she scooped her cat into her arms like a furry baby. She lugged him with her as she padded down the steps, washed in the jeweled glow from the lights. He could hear the cat’s rusty purr as Sarah breezed near.
    “You boys did a great job,” she praised. “Ali, do those lights blink enough for you?”
    “No! I want more.”
    “Those are the flashiest lights we could find in the store, silly boy.” Warm gentle love, that was Sarah’s voice. It was no surprise why Ali’s gaze was one hundred percent pure adoration. Even when she was upset, which she had to be having him here, she was kind. “Mike, thanks for helping out. I never could have done such a good job.”
    “No problem.” His voice sounded choked as the air pressure changed and the steel walls around his heart buckled. The several feet separating them seemed to vanish as they gazed up at the lights together, as if shoulder to shoulder.
    You don’t feel a thing, Montgomery, he ordered himself. You will not feel one single thing.
    “Do you boys want to come in and warm up?” Her voice moved through him like a melody. “I’ve got chocolate cupcakes and cocoa for you.”
    “Oh, boy. I do!” Ali clapped his hands. “That’s my favorite.”
    “Yes, I know, cutie. It used to be Mike’s favorite, too.” Her gaze pinned him with a quiet question. In the silence settling between them she was asking him to stay.
    “Dr. Mike.” Ali grabbed his hand and tugged. “We’re alike.”
    Emotion lodged in his throat, burned behind his eyes. He wanted to stay for the boy’s sake, but how would this end? Ali would soon belong to Sarah legally, and there was no