The woman behind the counter hasn’t noticed. She’s tucking the ears and the Mickey plush into a paper bag with the store’s logo. “So sweet,” she says. “She’ll love these. On your card?”

“This is the one.” I hand it over and chitchat with her while she runs the card and I sign the slip.

“Have a great day,” she calls to me as I’m stepping out onto the sidewalk. I wave at her through the window and go back to my car. No paparazzi. Still, I’m tense driving through town. The security guys at the station wave me through.

The bag sits on the passenger seat, waiting.

I hope she likes it.

I hope Paige likes what I chose for her. I also hope Emily’s happy I did it. This seemed like a simple enough thing to do when I made the plan in my mind. I don’t know why it feels more complicated now.

Emily and Paige are waiting in the living room when I get back. Emily sits on the couch, looking like a mom on Christmas morning, only dressed for a plane ride.

“Uncle Mateo!” Paige runs across the room and hugs me around the waist. It’s a good day, then. I’ve sat through a couple of silent trips to the ice cream store with her when things were rough. “Mom says you’re going on a trip.”

“You’re going on a trip, too. Did she tell you where we’re going?”

“We’re all going?”

“All three of us,” I say. “The clue is in this bag.”

Paige takes it in small hands and glances over her shoulder at Emily, who nods at her. Paige opens the handles and reaches inside. Christ. My heart is racing faster than it does when they announce who’s up for the Oscars. I’m never nominated, but I still hope.

She comes up with the headband first. “A Mickey headband?”

“Minnie.” I turn it around so she can see the bow. Her eyes get wide. The longest second of my life passes, and then Paige pushes it onto her head and peers back into the bag. She pulls the plush Mickey out slowly. Is this what terror feels like? Is she too old for these things? Can’t be, right?

It’s finally all the way out of the bag. Paige finishes her big reveal and thrusts it in Emily’s direction.

“Mom,” she breathes. “Look. I’m keeping this in my room.”

“I thought you might want to take it to Disneyland first,” I say.

“Disney?” Paige shrieks.

“Yes,” Emily and I say at the same time. She laughs, sounding as relieved as I feel. “We’re going to take a long plane ride first.”

“Will we sleep on the plane?” asks Paige, staring at the Mickey plush.