—Ellie—  

      Mom and I sat in the garden on a swing, enjoying a warm fall day. I’d been back for only three days, and it was the first time Mom and I were really alone. 

    Our feet gently kicked the ground to keep the swing in motion. Mom held my hand, peering up at the sky. I knew she had questions but couldn’t ask them, and I wasn’t sure if I could give her answers.  

   “Why did you give Arianna to Drake?” I asked eventually to say ...