My husband pushed me down the stairs, and as I lay shattered at the bottom, my mother-in-law called my father and said, “Come get your worthless daughter and take her back.” Dad gave her only one warning: “If she has so much as a scratch, your family will answer for it.” They laughed at him because they had absolutely no idea who my father truly was.

“A very exclusive hotel,” Dad said solemnly.

“Only guests who like pancakes are allowed.”

Lily laughed.

The sound filled the hallway, bounced against the walls, and made me realize how silent my life had become.

She ran toward me, then remembered my injury and stopped short.

“Soft hug,” she announced.

“Soft hug,” I agreed.

We spent the afternoon building a cardboard castle on the dining-room table.