Then she sat beside Jenna and said, “You don’t have to tell me anything until you’re ready.”

Jenna began to cry.

I had hesitated to call Ruth because I knew she had arthritis and rarely traveled.

She listened to my explanation, however, and simply said she was coming.

At the hospital cafeteria, Ruth asked what arrangements I had made for Jenna’s return home.

“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted.

“I don’t know if she’ll want to go back to that house.”

“Then ask her.