Quil floated happily through the next few weeks. If he wasn't with Claire, he was with his buds, and if he wasn't with his buds, he was out alone, howling to the moon.

He wished Claire could be his. He couldn't stop marveling at her—the perfection of her words, the way she learned so quickly. He'd be the best big brother in the world, he knew; if only she could stay with him forever. Time was running out, though. Bridgette was due home any day now. He felt a dull ache in his heart when he thought of Claire leaving him, to be three whole hours away. He didn't understand how he could breathe with Claire not near him. He was worried that when he saw Bridgette, he'd murder her, so that Claire would be forced to live with him.

Right now, Claire lolled happily along the beach, picking up a stone here or there. She'd ask him a question, and if he didn't have the answer, he'd make up one. She liked that—trying to figure out Real from Fake.

It was a calm, misty day. The mountains in the distance were frosted with a purplish fog, and everything just felt off. The silence would stifling and the air was damp. It was the feeling of something coming.

And sure enough, within a few seconds, the roll and crunch of tires told Quil that a car was coming. He watched the familiar green pick-up truck maneuver its way up to Emily's house, and then Bridgette came out.

Such a rush of sadness and anger filled Quil that he could not bare it. Just as he'd anticipated, he wanted to kill her. Claire was hers. Bridgette couldn't just take her away!

He felt tears moistening his eyes, but Claire, luckily, didn't notice. Instead, she turned to where Quil was watching, and yelled a shrill, "Mommy!" Before he could stop her, Claire was rushing towards open-armed Bridgette. The two beamed at each other.

Quil looked down, fighting off the tears and trying to even his breathing. He had to appear normal to Bridgette. He tried to push away the thought of murder as he looked up. "Ah! Bridgette!" He came towards her, trying to put on a charming smile. "And how was… wherever you were?"

"India," she smiled. "It was lovely. It's an absolutely beautiful place, you know. I think I got a good piece." She chatted about what her reporting was about while the two made their way to the house.

"Oh! Bridgette!" Emily smiled from the doorway. "Now, here's a lovely surprise! Of course, no call to warn me…"

"Oh, sorry about that. The thought just occurred to me as I was driving up. Erm…surprise?"

The two talked and sat down while Quil sadly dragged his way through packing Claire's bags. "I will mish you," said Claire in a tiny voice. "Visit me?"

"Of course. As much as I can."

"I wuvu," she said, her way of saying 'I love you.' "It's been fun heya. (Here.)"

"Here. You're all packed." Quil sniffled and wiped the tears from his eyes. He set the Barbie suitcase on the floor, and Claire grabbed it.

"Sad, big brother?" she asked, seeing the tears that he couldn't help but let stream down his face.

"Very. I'll miss you more than you can understand, Clairey Bear."

"Me, too. Come see me soon."

Claire came out into the kitchen, and was immediately tackled in a hug by Bridgette.

Quil watched solemnly as the final 'good-byes' were made. As soon as Bridgette's truck had pulled out of the driveway, Quil burst out into sobs.