“A threshold,” Frank corrected.

“So you never forget you chose the one you walked through.”

I held it for a long time before I could thank him.

Helen touched my shoulder, and Marcus wrapped an arm around us both.

There was no grand speech.

Someone in the kitchen announced that the potatoes were burning, and we all hurried to save lunch.

That afternoon, Dad sent a photograph of Lily and Owen opening presents at his house.

Vanessa was there.