“That gives me an idea!” Penelope grinned. The dog in her lap rolled over and she cooed at it, rubbing its furry belly. “I mentioned how much the dog visits meant to me when I was in the hospital, but do you remember something else that made me happy back then?”

“Oreos?”

“Well, yes, that was about the only food that didn’t make me want to barf. That and lime sherbet. But that’s not what I’m referring to.” Penelope leaned her head on his shoulder. “Do you recall the name of that old magician who would come by the children’s ward one Sunday a month?”

“Herb?”

“Yes!” Penelope beamed. “The Amazing Herbdini. You were fascinated with him.”

“I was not.”

“Were too,” Penelope insisted.

And, in that moment, bickering the way they had when they were kids, it was like going back in time. Luke swore he could feel the scratchy nubs of the chair he would nap on in Pen’s hospital room, hear the beep and hum of machines, the tense murmur of voices beyond the door, and as always, smell the astringent burn of disinfectant, which seemed permanently singed in his nasal passages, no matter how many walks he took around the gardens in the pediatric wing. At least he got to go outside for some fresh air. Most days, Pen couldn’t. Most days, she couldn’t do much of anything.

His sister turned her head and bit his shoulder.

“Ow!” His thoughts jerked back to the present. “Geez. You win. I was fascinated with old man Herbdini.”

“Don’t do that.” Penelope stared up at him, solemn eyes the identical shade of gray as his own.

“Do what?” he asked.

“Go back there,” Penelope said quietly. “It’s fine to talk about the good stuff. Sometimes. But don’t get sucked in by the bad stuff.”

“You’re right.” Luke put an arm around his sister and watched as three of the dogs played a game of tug-of-war with their leashes. He checked the knot he’d tied around the bench, making sure it was still secure. His day was busy enough without having to chase a dozen escaped corgis across the resort lawn. “And yes, I did look forward to Herb’s visits. He knew some cool tricks. It’s been years since I’ve tried any of them, but a magic act is a great idea for the talent show.”

“I do have them sometimes, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” Luke glanced down at his sister. She was smiling, but he didn’t miss the catch in her voice. He tightened his hold, pulling her closer. “You’ve done a great job taking over this week, Pen. I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate all you do.”

“Stop it.” Pen sat up abruptly.

“Stop what?” he asked, truly bewildered. “What did I do wrong this time?”