“It’s a watch.”

“It makes it look like you don’t trust us.”

Andrew walked in before I could respond. “It looks like a parent wants her child to reach her.” My mother turned toward the closet. “Of course.” The moment ended.

Chapter 4 — The First Night

That evening, Andrew and I drove into Dallas. We checked into a hotel near the arts district and spent two hours reviewing presentation boards over the room’s small desk.

I called my parents’ home at eight. My mother answered on speaker. Children yelled in the background. The television played too loudly. Someone dropped what sounded like a metal pan.

“She’s having a wonderful time,” Mom said.