Cindy Lou started to push her way out, so I clenched and helped her. A few moments later, she was standing in the tub. I turned to face her. “So what was that about dying, huh?”

Cindy glared for a moment, then looked down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you. I was just…afraid you wouldn’t let me back in.”

“When were you planning to tell me the truth?”

“I meant to tell you after the date,” Cindy Lou said. “I just…didn’t want to have to admit I’d lied.”

I sighed. It was hard to stay angry with her. “Anything else you weren’t quite accurate about, while we’re here?

“Well…I actually don’t have to come out once every thirty days.” She hesitated. “I can come out as often as I want, or stay in as long as I want.” She looked up at me, and the words came out in a rush. “Please let me back in? I won’t be any trouble, I promise! I won’t make you fart anymore, and I’ll never come out at all unless you want me to. You won’t even know I’m there.”

I sighed, and turned to go. “Get showered. I’ll think about it.”