“You made my day.”

I wasn’t ready to use it every time.

He didn’t expect me to.

That was what made it possible to use again.

Later that week, I took Oliver to my mother’s grave.

I brought a small bunch of violets because she had always liked flowers that didn’t demand attention.

I told her Warren had found me.

I told her I was angry at the years we’d lost and grateful for the love she had given me anyway.