The matronly counsel from Muriel soothed my frustrations better than I expected, but I imagined her natural aura as a unicorn had something to do with it. Or maybe I just… missed having a mother’s touch. Whatever it was, it made me think back to when Billie had calmly, forgivingly offered me her hand after I terrorized her in the kitchen. I wasn’t the only one that needed compassion. I needed to trust her. Depend on her. But how could I do that, knowing she intended to leave me?

I sent a ...