We were making our way back toward each other.

Then she became ill.

I wish I had been braver.”

“Why didn’t you contact me after she died?”

“You were grieving, and I convinced myself you wouldn’t welcome another family story.

Then more time passed, and I felt foolish for waiting so long.” She shook her head.

“I am beginning to think our family specialty was treating difficult conversations like unopened bills.”

It made me smile.