Renee Jennings sat on the soft leather sofa, sending a message. Pippi lay beside her, his big round eyes fixed eagerly on the phone screen.
Renee tilted her head to look at him and smiled. "I'm messaging Stella right now."
"Okay, thank you, Renee," Pippi said happily, his tongue lolling out.
Renee typed out a message and sent it: [Stella, do you have time right now? Pippi wants to see you.]
Stella quickly replied: [Renee, I'm at the hospital right now, so it might not be a good time.]
Renee's brow furrowed, and she quickly typed a few words: [Are you sick?]
Stella: [Not me... it's my mom.]
Renee stared at the reply, stunned for a few seconds.
Pippi waited for a moment before he couldn't help but ask, "Renee, is Stella not free?"
"Her mom is sick," Renee explained. "She's at the hospital taking care of her."
"Oh, okay." Pippi lay down, a little dejected, his voice muffled. "Stella must be exhausted, right?"
