“Sienna, we explained that to you!

It was Serena’s twenty-fifth birthday!

The deposits were non-refundable!

You cannot expect an entire family to cancel a milestone celebration over an event that had already happened!” An event that had already happened.

I turned and looked at my mother — really looked at her, searched her face the way you search a familiar photograph for something you’re sure must be there.

I looked for the woman who had tucked me into bed when I was small and afraid of the dark.