That’s truly wonderful news.” She set the box on the counter, opened the lid, and fanned the paper doily out with two fingers.

“Eat something.

There’s a cheese danish in there that will change your life.”

I took one so she would stop.

“I’ve been up here every single day,” she said.

“Since Thursday.

I drove in from Nina’s that night, so I was only half an hour out.”

I stopped with the danish halfway to my mouth.