I wanted that answer to make everything better.

It didn’t.

It only marked the place where real repair would have to begin.

PART 8

On December twenty-seventh, an email arrived from a name I hadn’t seen in years: Margaret Cole, Harold’s older sister.

She lived in New Mexico and rarely came to family gatherings, although Tessa adored the picture postcards she sent.

I heard about Tessa, it read.

Please call before Harold persuades everyone this was a misunderstanding.