Trevor had walked through the entryway touching the walls, speechless.

I had been happy to give him something I never had at his age: the feeling that the future was settled.

I had confused a beautiful address with a good beginning.

I walked around the side garden to a magnolia tree that Raymond and I had helped plant.

It was thriving.

The new owner had kept it.

I was grateful for that, though I knew it was no longer my decision.

As I reached the car, a young maintenance worker waved to me.