When Moppet approaches the stranger she lets him kiss her on both cheeks. His lips touching one cheek bone and then another. She does not protest. I see her steal a quick glance back at Doll and the rest of us before the stranger pulls her close to his chest with an outstretched arm to embrace her deeply.

Moppet will be the wife. Rosie will be the daughter.

I try not to dwell on either of them; I'm just relieved that it wasn't Rabbit or I who got picked.

After they leave Rabbit throws herself on the bed in angry sobs. Paris tries to comfort her, and Rabbit is so distraught that she actually lets her.

Violent and Lilly huddle together on Rosie's old bed. I imagine that they have always been with each other, long before they were old enough to form memories.

Doll sits at the other end of the room, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. Anger rolls off of her like black shadows. None of us speak to her, and she says nothing to us.