She stared at the passing cars.

“I thought if he knew I knew, he would tell the truth.”

I understood the logic.

At nine, Grace still believed that when people were confronted with the truth, they would simply put down their excuses and act better.

I had believed something similar at thirty-nine.

A taxi pulled to the curb.

I helped her into the back seat and asked the driver to take us home.

Halfway along Lake Shore Drive, my phone began to buzz.