Douglas didn’t answer right away.

“I wouldn’t say that in court until we’ve got the application.”

At five o’clock, Evelyn met me in her backyard with a glass of iced tea and a plate of fig cookies.

Lily sat in the grass with a coffee can full of buttons, sorting them by color.

“Evelyn, there’s something I need to ask you.”

She gripped her apron pockets with both hands.

“I’ve been hoping you would.”