Birthday in Exile

At midnight, Cleo received perfectly timed birthday messages from Maura and Lyra.

Maura: [Happy birthday, Cleo.]

Lyra: [Happy birthday!]

But Cleo was too tired and had already fallen asleep.

In the morning, Cleo dragged herself out of bed. She still wasn't feeling great, but mentally, she felt a lot better.

She let a smile slip and answered Maura's call first.

Maura said, "Cleo, I saw all the stuf