“Never?” Faith repeated, feeling slightly faint.

The Hughes walked out the door, waving to her, and smiling.

She sat down on the couch. The twins stared back, and she did the same.

Faith twiddled with her black hair, and Rusty whispered something into Matthew’s ear.

Matthew laughed (more like guffawed), and Faith raised an eyebrow. Matthew caught her look, and fell silent.

They sat there for a few more minutes.

“So…what do you want to do?” Faith asked, leaning forward, and clasping her hands, resting her elbows on her knees.

“What about going to play in Mrs. Stein’s sprinklers?” Rusty asked, and Matthew jumped up.

“YEAH!” he said, punching his fist into the air.

Faith put a hand on Matthew’s brunette head, and pushed him downwards.

“How about no?”