The household’s first attempt to return to normal happened in a rented cottage overlooking Frenchman Bay.

The twins’ doctors had agreed they could leave the hospital with a clear follow-up plan, and the Bradley estate still wasn’t cleared for their return.

Kenneth chose a simple house with a kitchen, two bedrooms for the boys, and a view of fishing boats moving through the mist.

On the first morning, I woke to the sound of Mason asking whether he could have pancakes.

It was such an ordinary request that I stood in the kitchen doorway, suddenly unable to speak.