“It’s your family, Mara,” she pleaded, her fingers tightening around the silver metal.

“We are the only ones who know where you came from.”

“That is why I am leaving,” I said.

I stepped around her, my boots hitting the stone steps with a steady, even rhythm.

She did not follow me, her small figure remaining motionless beside the gray pillar as the autumn wind stirred the dry leaves around her feet.

I walked down the courthouse steps alone into the pale sunlight, my keys heavy in my hand.

Linda held the roll of brown packing tape between her palms and tore it with her teeth.