Nobody pretended she could come back.

Nobody needed to.

Her love had survived in small things, and the living were finally learning how to share them.

PART 18

A major hearing took place that winter.

I attended only as a witness to what I had personally observed: the smell, the boys’ complaints, Eleanor’s fear, and the doctor’s effort to prevent us from examining the ventilation system.

I refused to repeat rumors or guess at anyone’s intentions.