The scene was so bright I had to put the picture away.

It never happened, I reminded myself.

But for one summer, someone besides me had believed it might.

PART 15

Tobias came to dinner the following Saturday with Ruth and a chocolate cake.

I had spent the afternoon worrying about whether my tablecloth looked too formal, then realized I was behaving like a person inviting guests rather than a mother welcoming her son.

Ruth brought a recipe card in Daniel’s handwriting.