Seeing her ordinary work in the community changed the scale of that fantasy.

She had been a full person, not a character invented by my fear.

“Gregory used to fix the center’s van,” Violet said.

“Rose teased him about how long it took.

She called him Professor Wrench.”

I laughed before I could stop myself.

“He still takes forever to repair a loose cabinet hinge.”

“He was always meticulous.” Violet paused.