“She’s a few months younger than you. She’ll be turning twelve in October.”

“So where’s she going to stay? Are you going to make the office into a bedroom?” Sue worked from home, so their third bedroom had been effectively converted to her office.

“Maybe we will someday,” said her father, “but at first, we were hoping she could share your room.”

Hailey didn’t know what to say, so her mother took over. “Erin’s been through a lot lately and she will really need a friend. I’d rather she not be alone at first. It’s your bedroom, so it’s your decision. You can have some big responsibility helping her feel welcome here, so do you think you can help out?”