Arthur had read me the words over the phone while I stood at this very counter.

I had jotted the date on the back of an envelope and tucked it under the canister.

“Does Bunny get any breakfast?” Chloe asked.

“Bunny gets a make-believe carrot.”

“Can it be a real one?”

“After we go to the hardware store.”

She nodded and returned to her coloring.

Bunny sat on the chair next to her, one ear folded where she’d slept on it.