“First tell us what you promised.”

He looked at his mother, then at the folder.

“Let’s have coffee.”

Claire knew the usefulness of coffee.

It gave people something to hold and a reason to pause.

She also knew how often Mark proposed a pause when someone was close to receiving an answer he did not want to give.

She let them inside without luggage and put water on.

Diane used the bathroom and then sat at the kitchen table.