Inside was a single page and a photograph of her standing beside the little used-book shop she once owned.

My dear Colleen, the letter began.

Never confuse a person’s willingness to pay your bills with a person’s willingness to honor your life.

I sat down on the floor beside the suitcase.

And finally, I wept without trying to stop.

PART 20

My grandmother’s letter was written after I’d accepted Dennis’s proposal.

She had watched him charm our relatives and listened as he told me I would never have to work again.