She said she would think about it.

Before hanging up, she asked me not to contact Willa directly until we’d decided together how to explain the situation.

“Of course,” I said.

“Her world is not something I get to rearrange because I’m shocked.”

After the call I sat quietly for nearly an hour.

I didn’t touch my laptop.

There are problems a spreadsheet cannot solve, and years that cannot be returned by a signature.

PART 7