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On the one hand, it et as upset about —but she was a newborn when her mother died I wonder if she still feels a sense of loss or abandonment

“Who’s going to make me penny cakes?” Lillie’s hazel eyes are round and full of tears She blinks and a drop hits her cheek

Ruby pushes a golden curl behind her little ear and wipes the tear with her thumb “It’s only two days, Lil I’ll be back on Thursday, and I’ll make you penny cakes for lunch”

My daughter nods slowly, pitifully “I guess”

“Hey, I know” Ruby’s voice takes on an excited tone “Which monster did you ht? Tres?”

Lillie’s voice is pouty “Yellow monster number three”

“That’s right!” Ruby is working hard to keep the enthusiasm alive “And who is it this week?”

Lilly shrugs, but Ruby holds her“Coht, but tell me his name”

Hazel eyes are fixed on Ruby’s collar Her rosebud lips quirk, and she tries not to sives her another little squeeze, and she relents “Purple monster number four”

“Purple?” Ruby’s eyes go wide, and I’ht now “Do you know purple is my favorite color? I can’t wait to hear all about purple ht be”

“Cuatro”

“Cuatro… I like that name Do you?”

Lillie shrugs and puts her arain “I miss you now”

Ruby holds her close, kissing her cheek “I et back, just you and me”

“Good heavens, it’s not like she’s joining the Foreign Legion” Eleanor appears in the grand foyer, hands on her hips “Lillian, coo to school now”