Her words carve more pain into me, and I find myself pulling my floral cushion to my chest. I blink several times. I kind of knew this, but her saying it really brings it home. "But," she continues, "I tracked him down years ago. I’ve known where he was all this time."

A bitter taste pools in my mouth. The gash that my past carved into my soul reopens all over again.

Evelyn’s eyes glaze with unshed tears. "I keep waiting for you to fully blossom in your life, ...