In the kitchen, late at night, Ava heard a soft tap-tap-tap on the window. She climbed onto the stool to look.
The moon had come down for a visit. Just like that. Round and white and a little bit tired.
"Are you hungry, Moon?" Ava whispered, because the rest of the house was asleep.
The Moon nodded — a slow, polite nod.
So Ava set to work. She got out a bowl that was too big for her and a wooden spoon that was just right. The flour bag opened itself a little. The milk leaned out of the fridge, agreeable. Even the cinnamon shaker hopped over to help.
"Hello," said the cinnamon. "Two pinches?"
"Two pinches, please," said Ava, very seriously.
The egg cracked itself, neat as a button. The batter stirred itself when Ava asked nicely. The pan put itself on the stove. It was that kind of kitchen — the kind that helps if you say please.
Pancakes began to bubble. Little gold suns appeared on each one. The kitchen smelled like Sunday mornings, even though it was Tuesday and almost-night.
Ava made the pancakes round, like the Moon. She stacked them tall.
She slid them onto a plate and lifted the plate up to the window.
The Moon nibbled one carefully. Then another. Then another. The Moon's edges turned the slightest bit golden, the way pancakes turn golden. The Moon smiled.
"Wait," Ava said. "I should keep one for me, too."
The Moon nodded.
Ava ate one slowly, sitting on the stool, swinging her feet. The Moon ate one slowly, sitting in the sky. They were perfectly content. The kitchen hushed in approval.
When the plate was empty, the Moon thanked Ava with a long, soft glow. Ava waved. The Moon floated back to its place, full and happy and a little rounder than before.
Ava put the bowl in the sink. She climbed down from the stool. The kitchen turned its lights off, one by one, on its own.
She walked up the dark stairs. Her bed welcomed her. Outside, the Moon kept its golden edges all night, and seemed to be watching her sleep.
Ava closed her eyes. She thought about how good it felt to share. Then she didn't think at all. The night was warm, the pillow was soft, and the kitchen below was already dreaming.