Juniper turned to face Sophia, a menacing smirk playing on her lips as if she were about to burst into laughter. “Yeah, Sophia, I’m devastated,” she said, trying to maintain a serious tone.

Sophia filled her lungs, deliberate and calm, looking at Juniper with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “Juniper, I understand. I think he… ”

Before she could finish, Juniper interrupted, no longer able to contain her laughter. “In times like this, I usually turn to whiskey. I don’t know what else to…” She trailed off, her laughter filling the air.

Sophia’s eyes widened as she watched Juniper’s unexpected response. “Oh my goodness, what in the world?”

Juniper’s laughter subsided, and she leaned back in her seat, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. “Sophia, I’m fine. You picked up on that very well, but it’s no big deal. I mean…” she straightened up with mock solemnity, ”…I will always stand with the plight of the recently diagnosed.”

Sophia blinked.

“What am I supposed to do with something like that?” Juniper continued, gesturing at herself as if presenting evidence.

Sophia looked at her, confusion etched on her face. “Juniper, what? What are you talking about?”

Juniper’s gaze remained fixed on Sophia, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I want peace in my life, not undomesticated people.”