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Ash (7:20 p.m.): I can’t believe we forgot him. The flight was torture. Bri screamed for an hour straight

Cass (7:20 p.m.): :(

Ash (7:21 p.m.): This is going to sound ridiculous, but can you send another picture of him for Bri?

Cass (7:21 p.m.): Yes, give me a few min

Ash (7:21 p.m.): K, thanks

“Okay, Bri, here you go,” Ash said, scrolling back up and clicking on the picture of the octopus. He handed the phone to Bri, who mumbled something he couldn’t understand and then sniffled again.

Grant exited the freeway about then, easily navigating the dark streets toward Ash’s apartment, and only a few minutes later, he pulled up into a visitor parking spot outside Ash’s building. It took some convincing for Ash to get his phone back, but Bri relented after a promise that he’d let her have it again later, and together, the three of them headed up to Ash’s apartment, luggage in tow. Grant stayed only long enough to make sure Ash had everything and was okay. Then he left, and it was just Ash and Bri.

Alone.

Again.

And for an undetermined amount of time.

Bri sat herself down on the carpet in the living room, clearly pouting but also clearly trying not to show that she was pouting. Ash collapsed onto the couch, promising himself he’d do laundry and unpack later, and he shifted over onto his back and pulled his phone out of his pocket again. He had multiple text messages, all from Cass.

The first one was a set of several pictures of Ollie sitting in different places in Cass’s house—first on the couch, then at the kitchen table, and finally on Cass’s desk. Then, Cass had sent a short video where he filmed Ollie on his desk and talked to Bri about how he would be sure to take really, really good care of the stuffie for her. Ash had the volume turned down low, but Bri still heard Cass’s voice, and she jumped up from her spot on the floor and hurried over.

“Cass? Cass Awwie?”

Ash smiled weakly and nodded. “Yeah, look, sweet girl. Cass sent you a video.” He played it for her, and she crawled up and sat on top of him while watching it. Then she convinced him to play it again and again. And he showed her the pictures Cass had sent and reminded her how Cass was really good at taking care of people, and so he’d take really good care of Ollie too. Bri cried a little, which was sort of adorable and also sad, and then she curled up on top of Ash and closed her eyes. Ash kissed her head and then read the rest of Cass’s texts.

Cass (7:35 p.m.): Sorry for the delay there, I was helping my dad with something

Cass (7:35 p.m.): Are you okay? And Bri? I’m so sorry, I didn’t see him until after I got home and went back out to the car later

Ash (7:43 p.m.): The video was amazing of you, thank you

Ash (7:44 p.m.): I’m okay, just tired. It’s always so hard when there’s no way to calm her down. She realized we were missing Ollie right when the flight took off, and she just started screaming. I couldn’t help her at all. No one was happy that whole flight until she fell asleep

Cass (7:44 p.m.): That sounds awful. I wish I could teleport him to you, but I’m afraid it’ll take a day to get him there. I can do a video call with Bri if she needs to see him

Ash (7:45 p.m.): LOL

Ash (7:45 p.m.): I mean, that’s quite generous of you, but she’ll live

Cass (7:46 p.m.): Yes, but will you? ;)

Ash (7:46 p.m.): Debatable

Cass (7:47 p.m.): *hugs*

A hug was exactly what he needed. But he knew he couldn’t have one. At least, not one from Cass for a long time. How long? Weeks? Months?

The realization—or actually, the reminder—stung. Especially since he now knew what he’d be missing. He closed his eyes and imagined it—being surrounded by comfort, warmth, and softness. And even just imagining it brought him a measure of relief.

He breathed in and out deeply and then did it again.

“Un-ca Ash?” Bri slid off his chest, and when her feet landed on the floor, she pouted. “Un-ca Ash, stah-beh?”

Of course she would want something they didn’t have. He needed to go shopping tomorrow. Among the billion other things he had to do. Why was he just sitting here?

He forced another slow breath, opened his eyes, and turned to smile at her. “We don’t have strawberries, but”—he grinned, trying to distract her from the “bad” news—“I bet we do have apples!”