The Bright Years

She wakes up six years old and leaps out of bed like life won’t wait. Middle name Elise after Ryan’s mom, here too long—or so she says when recalling bygone years with a long sigh and a simple, Oh, time. Like maybe this isn’t as easy as holiday cards and family road trips and two parents to conspire with teachers. Husband and wife: Etta James, “At Last.” They smile so big that everyone else disappears in the glare of their joy.