My heart skipped a beat as I noticed something by the slightly open door.

Rowena poked her head into the room from an opening I'd missed, lost in thought about Alice.

She grinned, eyes wide, her head staying in that position for a few seconds, as if programmed.

"I'm back! Who missed me? I forgot some of my chores," she announced, then entered to finish her work.

I smirked and started to reach for the food she'd brought, but hesitated. It was from Rowena, after all.

"I'll just pick up where I left off," she said, grabbing a small towel from a nearby decorative item.

We sat in silence, the...