But I was not abandoned.

Those are not the same thing.

The weeks passed.

Valerie managed to recover several of Nancy’s pieces. Not all of them. The sapphire pendant came back with a small scratch near the clasp. I held it in my palm for a long time before placing it in a velvet box for Grace, my oldest granddaughter, to receive when she’s ready.

Not because blood automatically deserves it, but because I still believe some things can be passed on without carrying the poison of what came before.

Trevor sent one letter through Valerie.