Milo sat on the sunny bench. Two chocolate-chip cookies rested close in his hands. He noticed Penny on the swings, palms dusty and empty.
Milo pulled one cookie behind his back. Penny's eyes stayed fixed on him. He pretended not to notice.
Penny sat on the swing, swinging slowly. Her knees dragged in the woodchips below. She watched Milo with wide, hungry eyes.
Milo took a big bite. The crunch was too loud. He looked at Penny, who wore a sad little frown.
Milo tried to eat faster. The cookie crumbled, and a chocolate chip rolled across the ground. It stopped right by Penny's shoes.
Milo stood up. He held his cookie over his head and snapped it in half. Then he offered the bigger piece to Penny.
Penny's eyes grew wide. Then she grinned — a gap where her front tooth used to be. She took the cookie with both hands.
They sat side by side, munching until only crumbs were left. Penny bumped Milo's shoulder. A chocolate chip bounced off his knee. They both laughed. The bench felt happier.
