everyone was pretty draining. She needed to get away. Get clear of her insanely annoying family. Like many relatively modern cities, the greater metropolitan area in which the Jordans lived was laid out on a grid, making navigation and maintenance easy. But the people who settled the Madrona neighborhood at the end of the 19 th and beginning of the 20 th century realized the value of the lush natural vegetation, as well as the beautiful views of the lake and white-capped mountains in the distance. The neighborhood plan was laid out mimicking the ebb and flow of the natural landscape — paths through Madrona to the lake were dotted with teardrop shaped parks and large expansive wooded areas. The lake, the opposite shore, and the mountains gleamed in the distance on clear days. While some of these nature spots were no more than small patches of green with a convenient bench or two, there were swaths of woods where you could lose yourself if you really needed to. Despite Binny’s strenuous and frequent efforts to find peace by getting justice from her parents, when they inevitably let her down, the woods gave her their own form of peace. Needless to say she was a frequent visitor lately. Binny snuck out of the house to avoid seeing her family. She made it all the way out to the front gate, but immediately regretted glancing up the street: Cassie and the girl from across the street were now playing together on the sidewalk. It wasn’t that Binny was dying to play with either of them. But why was the neighbor girl always inserting herself into Binny’s life? Cassie might be an annoying little sister, but she was Binny’s annoying little sister and therefore Binny’s private domain. And what was a ten-year-old doing playing with a seven year old anyway? That was pretty weird. And speaking of weird, did that girl not own a pair of shoes? Her wooded destination temporarily set aside, Binny walked over to where Cassie and the girl next door were playing. Apparently Cassie had convinced the neighbor girl to pretend to be her chauffeur. They were standing next to a parked car with Cassie reciting the various destinations where she’d like to be driven in her “limousine”. Binny reflexively ran her hand over the front of her pants pocket to feel for the outline of her mother’s mirror. It was still there. One small thing that was hers. “ And then I’ll need you to drive me to my sold out concert this evening,” Cassie issued her instruction in an offhand but serious tone. “ Yes ma’am”, the girl responded, equally serious. “ You know she’s not allowed to go too far from the house.” Binny interjected, feeling it was her responsibility to remind Cassie and the neighbor girl of the rules. “ Ma’am, it’s one of your fans.” The girl said to Cassie, staying in character. “ Oh driver, you know I love my fans, but I just don’t have time to sign autographs right now.” “ I’m sorry, but she can’t sign any autographs right now. Perhaps I could offer you a free ticket to her concert this evening? It’s sold out you know.” Binny was incredulous. “I don’t want an autograph. And I don’t want tickets to her concert. And you know why? Because there is NO concert, she’s NOT a star, you’re not her chauffeur, and this ISN’T a LIMOUSINE!” Binny shouted, hands on her hips, her face full of indignation. “ Give her a backstage pass as well.” Cassie waved her hand towards the neighbor girl, signaling her to take care of it. Binny couldn’t sit through another minute of Cassie’s make-believe. It was bad enough that her sister lived in her own warped world. But to have the girl next door pretending with her… “ You know what, I was just trying to make sure you didn’t get hurt. But now, I don’t care. Do whatever you like. Break all the rules. Go wherever you want.” Next Binny said to the neighbor girl: “She’s your problem. I’m leaving!” Binny turned her back on them