“You’re fine,” Ashley told her.

“It’s going to change how you guys all see me.”

“We already know you,” Ashley said. “Nothing to change.”

“It’s one thing if I talk about how I used to be, but if you actually see it then it’s worse.”

“Was that how you used to be?” I asked.

“See!?”

“Volume down. Keep it at a two or three on the volume knob,” Ashley said.

“See?”

“I’m not saying anything’s changed. I’m trying to give you a chance to expand on your thoughts there,” I said.

“I remember feeling like I did tonight. Except it was all the time, and it ended up with me going to the hospital because nobody could get me to stop, even me.”

“You stopped,” Ashley said. “You aren’t who you are then.”

“But I feel like I did then.”

“We all backslide. Tomorrow we’ll return to business as usual. Some people will say apologies. If it makes you feel better, you can say yours.”

“Apologies are for the other person.”

“We can agree to disagree on that,” Ashley told Kenzie. “For now, do you want a snack?”

“Yes please,” Kenzie said.

“Some tea to help you get to sleep?”

“Okay. Whatever works. I don’t know about that.”

“Get comfortable. I’ll bring snacks, then I’ll get the rest of your blankets.”

Ashley stepped into the kitchen, past Natalie, who was warily watching Damsel, and then past Damsel, who loomed at the doorway, shadowy, with claws at the frame.

From my vantage point, more used to this kind of scene, I could see Kenzie raise a hand to give Damsel a little wave, and I could see Damsel smile. When Damsel turned to go help Ashley, I saw the bed-head, a lick of hair at the back and the side that was pressed down.

I was pretty sure Natalie didn’t see that. That Natalie saw Damsel reach out for Ashley with knife-fingers, touching them to Ashley’s back, and leaned in close—but didn’t see that Ashley was putting away the tea bags that Damsel had taken out of the cupboard, instead getting out the little jars of loose leaf teas and the tea infuser.

“This wasn’t what I expected, when I thought about having a sleepover,” Kenzie admitted. She smiled. “I thought it would feel happier.”

“Tomorrow will be brighter,” I said.

“I feel weird, not having my tech. You said to leave it behind, but I’m used to falling asleep to the glow of the screen.”

“It’ll be good to try and sleep normally,” I told her. “No late-night tinkering. Eat, drink, sleep, enjoy your time with Ashley. Recharge.”

“I recharge by plugging in, though.”

“You’re human. You’re a mammal. As much as any dog, cat, mouse or elephant, you should be able to enjoy a good nap, warmth, companionship, and treats. They’re universal.”