Toby took his mother’s hand, then looked back at me.

“Are you coming with us, Loretta?”

I touched the ring once through the fabric of my pocket.

It no longer needed to issue an instruction every time I felt its weight.

I had read it.

I had followed the questions.

I had learned what could be established and what would remain between me and a man I could no longer confront.

Ahead of me, a boy waited for an answer he should have been allowed to ask years earlier.

“Yes, Toby,” I said.

I moved closer, and he made room for me beside them.

“I’m coming home.”