And a hug he got, the moment he opened the door. Merry was somewhat encumbered by the bulging gift bag looped around one wrist, but it didn't stop her from throwing both arms around her big brother and giving him a tight squeeze. The bag's handles slipped and an oversized plushie tumbled out onto the floor, followed by a half dozen packets of candy.
The care package she'd brought wasn't the usual Merilee confection, elaborately wrapped and festooned with glitter. There hadn't been time, Henry had needed hugs now, so she'd hurriedly filled the biggest gift bag she had with every feel-good, comfort-type thing she had to hand, snack foods and adult colouring books and gel pens and puzzles and hot chocolate mixes and fuzzy socks (this was Merry; even her rush jobs were extra).
"I'm so sorry, Hen," she said, resting her chin on his shoulder.