The personal items we agreed should return came home through a documented, practical plan rather than another parcel whose contents I had to discover alone.

There were estate matters to address separately.

I did not assume that finding a grandson settled inheritance questions, created a guardianship, or changed every document Patrick had left.

The relevant papers would be reviewed through the proper channels.

Toby did not need an instant legal transformation to become someone I cared about.

At the airport, I felt the same absence I had felt on the earlier flight.

Patrick was still the person I wanted to call.