“She said there was a letter from someone who did not want me.”

The words came out carefully, as if she had practiced them and wanted to get them right.

I reached for the blanket and tucked its edge around her knees.

“Did Grandma tell you who wrote the letter?”

“She said it was better if I did not know.”

“Did she show you the letter?”

“No.

She just showed me the envelope.”