That was one more thing her leaving had, without meaning to, taught us.

Chapter 18 — What a Loving Mother Endures

It was during the reception that Laura began the part she had really come to play.

I overheard her before I saw her, her voice raised just enough to carry, holding court near a cluster of Gregory’s family members.

“I wanted so badly to be in my children’s lives,” she was saying, with a practiced, wounded sigh.

“Of course I did.