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“Not that I know of,” I said.

“This smells delicious,” Luci said, inspecting the tray more closely. “I’m starving. Someone kept me busy last night.”

I warmed just thinking about all the ways I’d kept her up the night before.

We fixed plates and then went to eat at the small table, shades still drawn. We’d just finished when there was a knock on the door.

Luci’s eyes widened. “Hide in the bathroom,” she whispered.

I didn’t argue, even though I felt like a complete fool. A grown man hiding in the bathroom. Totally humiliating.

Once I was tucked away, I heard Luci open the door.

“Holly, what’re you doing here so early?” Luci asked.

“I wanted to bring you a birthday present,” Holly said. “Go ahead, open it.”

The sound of the door closing, then a rustling of paper. Luci exclaimed, “What is this? It’s gorgeous. I love it.”

“Every girl deserves a new dress on her birthday,” Holly said.

“I think that’s what you said on my eighth birthday. Do you remember bringing the party dress for me?”

“Yes, of course I do. Who could forget that day?”

“I loved that dress even though it was a tad too big.”

“My mother was about to take it to the Goodwill donation pile but I saved it at the last minute,” Holly said.

“Remember how you fixed my hair for me?” Luci asked. “Two ponytails tied together with a ribbon that matched the dress. I thought I looked like a princess.”

“You did.”

“I think about that day sometimes,” Luci said.

“I do too.”

“But look at me now. So much love in my life.”

“You always had that,” Holly said.

“I sure did. Which meant I was rich even if no one else thought so.”

“All right, I should go and get breakfast. I expect to see you in that dress for dinner. I bought it last month and been dying to give it to you.”

“Thank you for the dress and for everything else,” Luci said.

Silence for a moment, then Holly asked, “Why do you have two breakfast plates? Was someone here?”

I entered the fiery pits of hell, my forehead pressed against the inside of the bathroom door.

“Luci?” Holly asked.

“I was extra hungry?”

“It’s your birthday, so why not?” Holly asked.

I could hear it plain as day. Holly didn’t buy the sudden increase in appetite. Did she know it was me? If so, she didn’t ask any further questions.