A full grin started on his face. With sudden inspiration, he set the slippers on the floor to try them on. They fit perfectly.

“Thank you,” he repeated, fitting into the words all the significance the gift held, of his past that she’d shown this care for. “I do.” He touched her shoulder, with the feeling of an embrace.

On that note… he gestured to his mattress and said, “I was going to move it to the floor again… if that’s…?”