“I can’t believe you bought that red van,” Denise said as they stopped on the curb beside the van. “And they couldn’t even bring it to your house?” She crossed her arms as if the very sight of the van offended her.

“I like it,” Sharon said with a smile as she pulled out the key from her purse. It looked like a miniature skeleton key she had to get into the basement of the public library.

Denise shook her head. “You really need to grow up. It is so impractical.”

“I know. That’s why I love it.” Sharon unlocked the side door and slid it open with a creak. A butterfly flew out, an incongruous fleck of yellow against the grey sky. “See? It’s magic.” She climbed into the driver’s seat. “Want to ride home with me?”

“No way. That looks like it will rattle us to death.” Denise looked at her watch.

“Your loss,” Sharon said, which caused Denise to snap her head up. She wasn’t used to Sharon ever saying anything negative. Sharon smiled wider. “You’ll miss the magic.” Then she turned over the engine with the skeleton key and the door slammed shut.

As she drove away and Denise lost sight of the red van against the sea of drab cars around the corner, all she heard was the sound of Sharon’s joyous laughter floating back, like a butterfly on the breeze.