He looked down at the bag.

“You’re right.”

Those were the first two words that sounded different.

When Marian returned, Priya walked with her to the front entrance.

Lucas met them, nervous as a schoolboy called to the principal’s office.

He told Mom that the downstairs bedroom was ready and asked whether she would consider staying.

Marian looked at him for a long time.

“You told me Kendra had chosen the basement,” she said.