I wasn't surprised when Mom showed up about three-quarters of my way through the story so far. Aunt Meira didn't seem shocked, either, just waving for Syd to help herself to a seat and a drink, not really taking her attention off me. I waited for Mom to sit on the arm of the sofa next to me where I sat across from my aunt, comforted by her presence and hurrying through the details to date, hoping I wasn't missing anything.

I don't think, ultimately, I could have. The moment I ...