the way he didn't even try to fix it, just tilted his head like it was already perfect. the wobbles, the glaze run amok, the handle clearly not attached right. most of them come in wanting to make something good. forgetting that something real is so much better, saw my breath fogging the window as i watched him just…see it. almost didn't say anything, afraid to break the spell, but he looked up, grinning like i'd given him the secret to life itself. maybe i did.