He had mistaken proximity for ownership, and access for love, and a wife’s long silence for a wife’s contentment, and now, in the space of a single morning, every one of those mistakes was presenting its bill at the same window.

Chapter 12 — The Terminal

Sophia spotted me first, all the way across the international terminal.

“Mom!” She came flying and wrapped both arms around my waist hard enough to rock me back on my heels.

Lucia was right behind her, clutching the battered stuffed bear that has been to more countries than most adults I know.

“Are we really getting on the big plane now?” Lucia asked, tipping her head back to look up at me.

“We really are, sweetheart.”