“Oh yeah?” Juniper’s voice brightened artificially. “Then I guess you guys don’t need this chair anymore? Jacob, still up for helping me carry it out?”

Jacob’s giggles filled the room as he dove behind the very chair in question, Mr. Quacksly clutched protectively to his chest. “But then where will you sleep when you visit?”

“Well,” Juniper said, picking up her keys from the counter, “since we need to head over there anyway to check on him…” She turned the keys over in her hand, a habit from childhood when she’d try to delay leaving. “Maybe we could stop at Pasteli?”

“Oh, Pasteli!” Lillian perked up, exchanging knowing looks with Evelyn - they all knew goodbyes were easier with something sweet to look forward to. “Jacob’s been begging to go back since last time.”