Yet on the walk home, she noticed the flowering trees along the street and realized she had gone an entire hour without thinking of Margaret.

That evening she fixed the faucet with a washer bought at the hardware store.

The dripping stopped.

Clara stood in the silence of her own kitchen, almost laughing at the small satisfaction.

She could not repair everything, but she could still repair something.

PART 15

Adam had always described himself as a fair employer.

He paid salaries regularly, provided insurance, and sent holiday bonuses.