“She probably wanted the right to complain.”

“She certainly did.”

We spent another few minutes remembering someone who could not join us.

The memories didn’t make the day easier, but they made it larger than the single worst thing that had happened.

PART 8: Waiting for a Different Kind of News

A nurse came in just after sunset.

Clara stood so abruptly her chair tipped against the wall.

“Mr. and Mrs.