“My family’s been sort of empty since my brothers all went to college and moved far away. But when Mom and Dad brought you home, I don’t know, the house started to feel more…complete. I like it. I like having a little sister…” Joanie picked up NASA Bear and kissed his bubble helmet. “And I like having an astronaut teddy in the house too.”

“Na-ah,” said Nova, pointing to the word on his chest. “Na-ah Beah.”

“NASA Bear?” asked Joanie. “Is that his name?”

Nova squeaked and grinned, bouncing in her seat. She touched the logo on his uniform again.

“Na-ah Beah! Ah! Mm! Na-ah Beah!”

“NASA Bear,” repeated Joanie, grinning back. She sat him in the middle seat and shook his furry paw. “Welcome to the family, NASA Bear.”

When they pulled into the driveway a few minutes later, a familiar wood-paneled station wagon was parked off to one side. Mrs. Steele had arrived. The knot in Nova’s tummy returned, the one she’d had when writing to Bridget yesterday and had again in the morning before the diner. It threatened to make the pecan syrup pancakes come back up, so she swallowed several times, but that didn’t help.

“Come on,” said Joanie, taking Nova’s hand. They entered through the kitchen and continued to the dining room, where Francine was setting out small triangular crustless cucumber sandwiches.

Down the hall, by the front door, Billy was hanging Mrs. Steele’s coat in the closet.

“Oh, good, girls, you’re just in time!”

Joanie said a quick hello before excusing herself to pack for school. Nova hugged NASA Bear to her chest and glared at Mrs. Steele.

“Back to college already,” Billy sighed. “Winter break always passes too fast.”

“I know what you mean. I have two in college myself.” Mrs. Steele chuckled. “They forget I exist until they run out of money. Hello, Nova.”

Nova did not respond.

“Nova,” prompted Francine, joining them in the hall. “Say hello to Mrs. Steele.”

“It’s fine,” said Mrs. Steele pleasantly. “She doesn’t really understand what we’re saying.” She waved her hand in an exaggerated way and added, “It Is Lovely To See You Looking Well, Nova!”

“She understands plenty!” insisted Francine. “And there’s no need to shout; her hearing is fine. Nova, say hello, please.”

The way she said please didn’t sound like please. It sounded like now.

“Hi.” Nova waved. The right way, palm out.

“She says hi now! Isn’t that darling?”

Mrs. Steele sounded genuinely delighted, which annoyed Nova almost as much as the word darling. The adults filed back into the dining room and, with nothing better to do, Nova trailed after them, still fighting to keep her pancakes down.

“Nova is doing very well here,” said Billy as Mrs. Steele set her briefcase on the dining room table. “So let’s get right to it. We love having her and would like her to stay.”