"I'm going to go check on Mom," Cadence said, standing. As an afterthought, she picked up one of the throw pillows on the edge of the couch and threw it at Elliott, hitting him in the head.

"What did I do?" he asked, shocked.

She said nothing, just walked into the kitchen, a smile on her face. She had always wanted a brother.

Liz was just hanging up the house phone, still attached to the wall by an actual cord, as Cadence entered the kitchen. "Steve said that Alice was so thankful. It really means a lot to them, Cadence."

"That's good," Cadence replied, approaching the stove and sampling the...