Margot sits alone on a dusty floorboard. She watches dust motes dance in a sunbeam and pulls her laces tight.
A green dragon peeks from behind the shoebox. A fluffy bunny hops over. A striped cat stretches nearby. They all notice Margot sitting by herself.
The dragon blows a tiny smoke ring. It tickles Margot's laces. She giggles for the first time all week.
The bunny hops closer and nudges a dandelion fluff pillow toward Margot. 'For you,' it says.
The three friends gather around Margot. They nudge and push gently until she is right in the middle.
They pull Margot into a group hug. The dragon wraps its tail around her, the bunny presses close, and the cat purrs loudly.
After that, Margot never sits alone again. Every afternoon, she naps in the group hug, her laces tangled with theirs.
Her laces are tangled with theirs. She is never alone.