In the fading dusk, Julian’s features were blurred.

The smile on Francesca’s face thinned. She looked at him with aching attachment. Everything over there was a mess, and the truth was, she didn’t even know when she could come back.

Jeffrey got out of the car too. He looked at his son, then at Francesca, and said softly, “Fran’s leaving.”

Francesca suddenly raised her voice. “Julian, Happy New Year!”

That “Happy New ...