The next morning he sat with Marian near the front door.

He asked whether she preferred the existing key or a keypad she could use without twisting her sore fingers.

She said the key was fine for now if the blue ribbon were attached again.

So he found a new length of ribbon, tied it securely, and let her test the lock until she was comfortable.

“It’s your key to use while you’re here,” he told her.

“You don’t need to ask me every time you come onto the porch.”