The woman tapped the on-screen keyboard, typed out a text, then hit send.

A second later, Timothy’s cell phone screen lit up briefly on the bedside table.

The woman put away her phone and turned around to leave.

…

Samantha came back to her senses and cleared her throat awkwardly. She did not know what to say so she asked, “What should we do with these flowers?”

Aunt Julia suggested, “Find a vase and put them in?”

As soon as that suggestion was mentioned, Old Madam Barker looked ...