Coralie took a plea and got twelve.

As the judge finished reading the sentence, Devon turned to me one last time.

“You’re nothing without me,” he said.

And my father, beside me on his cane, answered for us both: “Without you, she finally gets to be herself again.”

Chapter 18 — Especially Then

I went looking for Winifred Alcott the day before my father was discharged, and found her by her window, watching the skyline.