The way her ears wiggle takes away a layer of ingrained skepticism that disallows for alternative explanations. Benjiro snerks with a broader smile showing his flat-edged teeth, and he replies, “We couldn’t have that.”

His smile softens but does not fade as she goes on to explain the purpose of his crossing the border and out of his Number. While he cannot recall the conversation he held with Sadie prior, Benjiro expects she will understand if they review some of the same topics. Already, his mind is buzzing with potential things to ask. He would have talked with her, standing right there out in the rain, but she kindly points him towards the shelter, “Oh! Right, yes.”

Shuffling his raincoat a little more closed around himself, he enters the cover and once again steps out of his shoes without any effort needed to slide his feet free. He kneels down on the blanket, looking at the evidence of the picnic that has already begun. It’s so strange, gaining full clarity only in the middle of what feels like a date. Gaze lifting to Sadie as she settles in, he marvels quietly at the way her presence puts him at ease despite the circumstances. He recognizes what is different about her, but he still sees the woman he loves.

“This may be an odd thing to ask, but why do I remember a baby rabbit?”