"We're alone," Beth promises the moment she's closed the door behind them. If Judith or Carl where in the apartment, she would know, she'd be able to hear them, because it's not like Carl is especially wild, but he's still a teenager. No one in this apartment is particularly quiet.

"Well, except for her," she says as Anthony trots into the room, a tiny black cat with big green eyes. Her tail swishes as she approaches, then she butts her head against Jason's shin, rubs against his leg, and disappears down the hall again.

"You can put your stuff down wherever," she tells him. "Then c'mere."