“I’m not going to let this become the place where my life stopped.”

We did not bring Lucas.

He had told Elena he wasn’t ready, and we respected that.

Instead, we drove back to town and bought ice cream from the little shop near the river.

Rachel dropped a spoonful on her blouse and laughed at herself.

I had not expected the most extraordinary afternoon of my life to end with a stained shirt and melting ice cream.

But I welcomed the indignity.