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“Yes!” Agnes said. “I want some.”

“What’s the magic word?”

“Fuck you.”

“Nope. Try again.”

Agnes groaned. “Please.”

“Thank you.”

I went to get a bowl, but paused when I saw Beatrice frowning at me. “What? Do you not like cereal?”

“I want eggs.”

Agnes scrunched her nose. “Ew.”

“I can make eggs,” I offered. “If you want me to.”

“Yes.”

“Wait,” Agnes cut in. “She didn’t say the magic word.”

“It’s my first impression. I’m being nice.”

“You weren’t nice to me!”

“You broke into my house.”

“And?”

Agnes glowered. Behind us, Beatrice laughed. “You’re funny.”

“Yes. A good impression. Do you know how to say please?”

She nodded. “Please can I have eggs?”

Agnes stuck out her tongue at her sister.

“How do you like them?” I asked as I made Agnes’s bowl of cereal.

“The way Mommy makes them.”

I paused. She’d said makes.

Did she not know her mom was gone?

“Do you know how Mommy makes them?” Beatrice asked.

“Uh, I don’t.” I swallowed and made myself focus. “Do you?”

She nodded. “Yes. With butter and a secret ingredient.”

Agnes rolled her eyes and shoved food in her mouth.

“What’s the secret ingredient?” I asked.

“Love,” Beatrice said.