Nekkid. Nova’s lips curled into a smile, then parted to let out a high screech, followed by several hiccupy squeals. Her body twitched, her hands flailed. Bridget loved the word nekkid.

“Are you laughing?” asked Francine, her smiling growing into a grin. “I haven’t heard you laugh before! I love your laugh!” Francine laughed too, for some reason, so Nova kept right on flailing and twitching and laughing about Bridget and nekkid. She laughed until tears stung her eyes. She used NASA Bear’s matted furry leg to wipe them away. Nekkid. Oh, Bridget!

“Come with me, Nova. You can pick out whatever’s comfortable. If you want to buy nothing but T-shirts and overalls, that’s fine. No dresses, I promise.”

Francine stood, holding out her hand. Nova mulled this over for a moment before taking Francine’s hand and allowing herself to be led out of the bedroom, not loosening her grip on NASA Bear.

Maybe clothes shopping with Francine wouldn’t be too bad.

Maybe they could buy slouch socks.