We had not proved a criminal case.

We had reached an agreement that required the records to be reconciled before the disputed proceeds could become anyone’s unquestioned property.

Marjorie took Julian’s photograph with her when she went into the hall for air.

When she returned, Claire untied the ivory ribbon she had brought and offered to put it around the frame.

Marjorie allowed her to.

It was the ribbon from the wedding that had not happened.

It did not announce a new ceremony or turn the mediation into a family reconciliation.