The pot was heavier than it looked, and she let Diane guide her toward the safest place in the car.

They set it on the floor behind the passenger seat and kept the leaves clear of the garment bag.

Diane touched one white flower to make sure it was not caught.

“It’ll be fine there,” she said.

For the first time all evening, someone made a promise about something they had actually checked.

PART 7 — Somewhere He Had Actually Asked

Mark stood beside the loaded SUV and searched for a hotel.