“My dad calls it Down syndrome, but I think it should be called Up syndrome.”

“Mm-hmm. Are you going to pay for that?”

She looked down at the bag of chocolates in her hand, then back up at the unshaven old man’s unsmiling face. He met her gaze with a slight scowl. She didn’t understand how someone who was around candy all day could be so grumpy.

“Oh, yeah.” She rustled around her school uniform for coins. “Here you go. Do you know why I think it should be called Up syndrome?”

He gave an audible sigh. He wished again that his wife had never roped him into buying this rickety shop. But she said that they owed it to their grandson to try and make a difference. At least they could have forgone the stupid sign. “Building a better world for people living with special needs.” People took it as an invitation to talk.

She continued without prompting. “She can fly.”

Well that was new.

“My sister Anna. I think, anyway. I haven’t seen it yet. My dad says she has special needs. And what’s more special than flying?”