- Back in Burlington, Cadence is lonely. She, her mom, and the dogs are all alone in their big house.
- She and her mom argue a lot, now that Cadence is practically an invalid. She needs help doing everything. She's lost her independence since the accident.
- Cadence knows other people see them as mysterious shut-ins, but the reality is far more boring. She mostly just sits around and reads while her mom takes detailed notes of everything Cadence eats.
- Still, they're magical people, because they're Sinclairs.