Chapter 21: Anastasia

The blades of grass tickle the palms of my hands. I press my fingers into the turf, feeling the dampness of the earth beneath the plaid picnic blanket. It is an ordinary sensation, something millions of people experience every day without thinking twice, but to me, it feels like a milestone.

Beside me, Luna is sitting with her legs crossed, her eyes wide as she stares at a blue jay landing on a nearby oak branch. The morning sun catches the gold flecks in her brown hair.

"Mommy, look," she whispers, pointing a small finger. "It doesn't have a cage."

"No, sweetie. Birds in the park live...