Carmona for college, then drew away.
“You weren’t supposed to come.”
“You told me not to.”
“I know.”
“That practically guaranteed I would.”
Mom managed a faint smile. Dad shut the door. Only now did I notice her sewing basket, his spectacles, two framed photos, shelf of medicine and electric kettle. They’d fitted everyday life into a room once used for garden tools. I spoke carefully.
“How long?”
She glanced toward Dad.
“Almost four months,” he answered. Nearly four months. Every first Monday I’d sent money and every Sunday we’d
