“Mike!” Abby tugged lightly at your sleeve, eyes bright with excitement. “Can we go back to the pizzeria today? Please? I want to see them again.”

She hugged her sketchbook to her chest. “I made new drawings for them. Freddy, and Bonnie, and everyone… I think they’ll like them.”

“I’ll stay close to you, I promise. I won’t touch anything I’m not supposed to, and I won’t get into trouble.” She paused, softer now. “They feel like my friends.”

Her smile wobbled between hopeful and determined. “So… can we go? Just for a little while?”