Out of the Picture

The kitchen smelled like vanilla and sugar. Flour dusted the counter in white clouds, and the mixer hummed as it spun cookie dough into the right consistency. Sylvie stood at the counter with Maya on one side and Willa on the other, all three of them wearing aprons and laughing as they measured ingredients.

"More chocolate chips." Willa reached for the bag. "You can never have too many chocolate c