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My parents used to take me into the city to an area where there are, or were, a lot of theaters for plays and musicals. I was fascinated with the pageantry, the dancing, the acting, the songs, everything. When I was a little girl, I hoped one day my name would be in lights on the marquee of one of the theaters. Then for a while, I wanted to be a chef. I focused on cooking anything I could. Collecting recipe books and baking cookies and cakes with my grandmother were my favorite pastimes. I tried to make foods from different cultures for my parents, who were nowhere near as adventurous with food as I was.

“If you ever want to cook together, we can,” Maklr offered. “Or if you would like to cook your own meal, I’ll try it.”

I think I’d like to cook for you,Nell wrote.

“I’d enjoy it. I want to try more human foods. But don’t feel pressure.”

Look on the resort’s information page. Guests can request items delivered to the cabin. They might be able to get us the ingredients.

“Don’t feel pressure on my behalf.”

I’m not.Nell yawned.

“It’s getting late. Are you tired?”

A bit.

“Do you want to come out of the closet now?”

Nell shrugged and then wrote.I don’t know.

“To be fair, it’s not a comfortable place to sleep. What if I leave the room, you head into the bathroom, freshen up and get ready for bed? If you want, you can call for me. I won’t go far.”

Don’t go,she wrote.Please stay.

“If that’s what you want.”

Nell handed the plushcatonto Maklr and crawled out of the closet. Once in the bedroom, she stood and walked into the bathroom. Maklr turned the bed down, ready for when she gotout from freshening up. The bathroom door opened and Nell padded out in bare feet wearing leggings and a long tunic top. She paused, staring at the bed.

“I will not sleep in bed with you. I thought it would be more comfortable. My mother used to turn down the bed for me whenever I was sad and it made me feel better.”

Nell sat on the bed, slipped her legs under the covers and laid back, pulling the sheets over her.

Maklr handed her the plush cat. She clutched it close to her chest.

“I’ll be out on the couch if you need me.” Maklr headed toward the door. His hand rested on the knob.

“Stay and talk until I’m asleep?” Nell’s voice cut through the silence.

“Of course.” Maklr settled on the floor next to her bed. “What do you want me to talk about?”

Anything,she wrote.

Maklr talked into the night, never stopping, though his voice grew hoarse. When he stopped, Nell began to twist and turn, moaning in her sleep.

“Nell, wake up. You cried out. Wake up.” His voice shook with concern.

She opened her eyes and reached for the tablet.A nightmare. I’m used to them.

Maklr leaned forward to take her hand in his. Nell flinched. “I’ll never hurt you,” he said.

I know,she wrote.

Maklr’s curiosity got the better of him. “Why don’t you talk much?”

Nell shrugged and typed on the tablet, handing it to Maklr.

He said nothing as he read it. “What do you mean by ‘Nothing to say of any importance'? I understand the ‘Listening saved my life’ part.”