It had started with a roof.

The previous winter, my in-laws’ house in Richmond had suffered serious storm damage, a whole section of roof compromised, and when they told us about it, Zachary and I had not hesitated for even a moment.

We had a spacious guest room sitting empty.

Of course they would come stay with us while the repairs were done.

Family is family.

We all assumed, cheerfully, that it would be three weeks, maybe four.