I set the basket on the railing while I unlocked the front door.

The deadbolt stuck a little, the way it always did in November.

Ranata stood close behind me, perfectly quiet and unusually patient.

“I meant to ask,” she said.

“Are you going into town tomorrow?”

“I have to pick up some packing tape.”

“Mom called me earlier.

She wanted me to pick up some groceries for her, but I have a full afternoon.”