“Then he is not like the trees.”

“He was never like the trees. He didn’t save anything with his actions.”

“Not even himself?”

“No.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s not like the trees. Nothing flourishes, if he’s saved.”

“So you understand why we did what we did?”

Izabel felt sick. “Logically.”

“You are no longer upset with us, then.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Do you forgive us?”

“No.”

“Okay,” Elm said.

“Do you care if I forgive you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Your family is the first I have had contact with. You are representative in a way.”

“I can’t ease your guilt.”

“Will you turn Cami against me?”

“No,” Izabel said. “I’d never do that.”

“I have seen humans do that to children before, about many things.”

“I promise.”

“But you do want me to leave her?”

“We do,” Kaito said.

“Even if she does not want that.”

“She could be in danger if you don’t leave her.”

“No, I would not hurt her.”

“Not from you,” he said.

“From other humans,” Izabel said, “who would want to understand the connection you two have.”

“I see,” Elm said. “Then I will go.”

“Thank you.” Izabel and Kaito said it together.

“I will say goodbye to her tonight and will be gone by morning. She will need you all.”

“We’ll be there,” Jana said.

Cami turned to look at Jana. “Good.”

They waited for Cami to look away from her, but she didn’t.

“Do you forgive the trees?” Elm asked.

“Yes,” Jana said.

“You’re not mad?”

“Not about that,” Jana said.

“About your parents?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry I could not help save them.”

“I heard that you tried,” Jana said. “Thank you.”

Cami nodded and finally turned her head away from Jana. “Is there anything else?” Elm asked.

Izabel and Kaito looked at each other.

“No,” Izabel said.

“Thank you again,” Kaito said.

“Yes,” Izabel said.

Elm didn’t respond. Cami came back and said, “They’re not gone! I can still hear my tree friend!”

“Your tree friend will say goodbye tonight when you can say goodbye back,” Kaito explained.

“No,” Cami said. “I thought they would convince you that they could stay.”

“Your friend agreed with us,” Izabel said.

“No, they wouldn’t.”

“They did,” Jana said. “So maybe it’s the right thing to do, right?”

“Maybe,” Cami said.

“Thank you, Lucy,” Izabel said.

“Thank you!” she said. “I’ve never been part of anything quite like this.”

Izabel smiled.

The family shuffled out of the office, past the rooms of the spiritual center, where, from one, they heard someone shriek. Izabel watched as Cami took hold of Jana’s hand.