Three years ago...

“Well, hello there, handsome.” My sister cranes her neck. “Who do we have here?”

At twenty-five, Francesca is already married and living in Philadelphia with her husband. I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I’d like. Since we’re two years apart, and she’s my only sister out of four siblings, we’re thick as thieves. I’m always excited when she comes home for a visit.

Our mother has arranged a shopping ...