“Yes,” I answered.

“Is it better now?”

“Much better.”

He kissed my cheek, then rolled over and went to sleep.

I stayed beside him until the hall grew quiet, grateful that I could answer his questions honestly without giving him fears that were mine to carry.

PART 26

The anniversary of my parents’ death had always been a day I dreaded.

The year Theo turned five, Frank suggested we visit the lake where they had taken me as a child.