In the afternoon, Pearl and I drove to her house to meet Nadia. She looked good, wearing a summer skirt and a simple blouse. Pearl kissed her and said, "Nadia, I missed you. Are you now considered healthy?"

Nadia grinned, "As far as I can tell. Neither of you got it?"

"We didn't check, but without symptoms, I don't think it's necessary."

Nadia turned to me with a smirk, "And how is my almost-foster-father doing?"

I smiled and kissed her cheek, "Like your mother, I missed my almost-to-be-family-member a lot..."

We moved to the living room, and all 3 of us sat on the large sofa, with Pearl in the...