Her eyes fluttered open. Her head felt heavy.

“We need to get her warm,” said Francine. “She’s been outside with no coat. She’s freezing.” She took off her own coat and wrapped Nova in it. With help from Miss Chambers, she picked Nova up and carried her to the car. Francine placed her gently in the backseat and Miss Chambers covered her with her own coat like a blanket. They got back into the car.

Francine turned her key in the ignition.

Nova closed her eyes. She wanted to sleep.

When Nova opened her eyes again, she was back in the too-big bedroom.

She could smell chicken soup and Francine’s perfume.

For a few seconds, she felt confused. Then it all came crashing back.

The conversation between Mrs. Steele and the police officer in the hospital hallway.

Being handed the box of her sister’s things.

Driving to a new foster home.

Meeting Billy and Francine.

Realizing they were the same people who’d been to visit her when she was in the hospital. When Francine read Dr. Seuss. When Billy brought brownies.

She’d been in the hospital during the funerals.

Now she was home, with Francine sitting beside her bed and Billy standing in the doorway. It was just like the day they met, except Francine was not holding a book. She stroked Nova’s hair instead.

“She’s awake,” whispered Francine.

“You gave us quite a scare,” said Billy. He held up the soup bowl. “Are you hungry?”

Nova sat up against the headboard. She was a little hungry.

“We thought this would be such a wonderful day for you,” said Francine as Billy placed the bowl on the bedside table. He sat on top of the wooden toy box.

“We know how much you’d been looking forward to the launch, Nova. We can’t tell you how sorry we are….” Francine’s voice cracked.

“Everything’s going to be fine, Nova,” said Billy. “Have some soup.”

Francine held the bowl so she could spoon some into Nova’s mouth. Just as Nova had guessed, it was chicken noodle.

Billy blew his nose into a tissue.

“We were so worried about you,” he said. “Us, Joanie, Mrs. Pierce, Miss Chambers, Mr. O’Reilly…Don’t ever, ever disappear on us like that again, Nova. Don’t ever run away. Don’t leave school without me or Francine or Mrs. Steele. Never again. Promise us.”

Nova looked from his face to Francine’s. They both looked like they’d been crying. Francine set the spoon back in the bowl.

Why were they crying?

“Please promise us you won’t run away like that ever again,” said Francine softly.

“Ah,” said Nova. She nodded. “Mm.”

For some reason, this made Francine cry more.

“It’s nice to hear you talk,” explained Billy. If it was nice, why was Francine crying?