I went back inside, hung my coat on the hook by the door and went to work at the dental clinic without saying another word about Rory.

By Friday night the house was quiet again.

Sadie stayed in her room after supper, sitting on the edge of her bed with her history book open on her knees.

I pushed her bedroom door open and leaned against the frame.

Her worn silver dress shoes were pushed under the nightstand, half hidden by a crumpled notebook.

“Grandma Darla’s driving over from Howard tomorrow morning,” I said.

“She wants us ready by eight.”