Vera’s starting to show. She’s insisting on sharing this experience with me, and though it pains me, I’m also secretly thrilled. There are still some things that she’ll only share with me.

I’d planned on going to see her today, but Mother intercepted me, saying I needed to go to Father’s bank to bring his lunch.

The dress she forces me into has me puzzled, but I do as I’m told, though I make a minor detour to apologize to Vera. We agree to meet the following week, making plans for a shopping trip to get her some new dresses.