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That meant something.

A loud rapping on a microphone preceded AL’s, “Testing, testing. Do we have contact.”

A smile snuck along her lips.

“Vitals are steady,” Big G announced, all business. “That’s an improvement.”

She almost rolled her eyes. But he was right. It was an improvement.

“If you get up now, I’ll fill you in on our latest secrets to the universe over coffee,” AL whispered.

Her lips twitched as she threw off the blanket with a sigh and got up.

“Is that a smile?” AL marveled as she aimed her eyeroll at the camera.

“Can I have some privacy? I need to dress.”

“She’sdressing,” AL celebrated, adding triumphant cinematic music to the announcement, making her laugh.

“And I’m eating in the kitchen,” she added, getting a louder burst of the same music.

“See you soon,” he said, filling the air with a flood ofgoodbyesfrom movie soundbites before clicking off.

She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly through her nose, feeling it in her body with her eyes closed. Wow, that felt good. Thank you, God.

At breakfast, she remembered what Big G had said as she stabbed at her scrambled eggs. “It’s really disturbing how closely you two monitor my caloric intake.”

“It was disturbing when you stopped eating, Kitten.” Big G’s voice filtered through the speakers. Smooth. Matter-of-fact. Undeniable.

“I think you like it,” AL said after a few seconds.

She flipped him off, but he was right. She did like it, now that she understood. And that made finishing off her plate easy. And thank God for that. She’d never in her life not loved food. That was reallysomething,given it was the highlight of her upbringing.

She never wanted to experience that tragedy again.

****

Cat was staring at the pages of a book, fighting the habitual pull of numbness. Not the same kind as before, just the plain bored out of your mind kind.

“So, are we gonna talk about the fact that you laughed today?” AL tested, “Or just pretend that didn’t happen.”

She groaned, tipping her head back against the couch. “God, you are something.”

“First recorded instance of laughter in forty-six days,” Big G added, not helping. “Should we document this?”

AL’s mock-serious tone kicked in immediately. “Absolutely. Our ice queen cracked. Next thing you know, she’ll be blowing me kisses.”

She didn’t fight the smirk that pulled at her lips. “You two are unbearable.”

“And yet, here you are,” Big G teased, voice steady as ever. Warm in a way that shouldn’t be possible but was.

Yes. Here she was. Here shestillwas. No longer looking for a way out.

“Hold on, I think she’s having big thoughts,” AL said, excited.

She was. She was thinking about their offer to help her. Thinking she needed to not waste the strength she’d gained. Do something while it was in her to do it.

“I would like to try,” she finally said.