None of the pictures told the whole story.

Together they made space for all of it.

When she finally put the book away, Harper asked me what her mother would think of our family now.

I looked at the drawings, the repaired ceiling, the familiar kitchen, and the little girl waiting for my answer.

“I think she’d be happy you have more people who care about you,” I said.

“And I think she’d be proud you returned something that wasn’t yours.”