She looked about twenty.
I asked if she knew the Miller family.
She did.
Everybody did.
“Elvira Miller?”
“Yes.”
“She moved.”
My chest tightened.
“Where?”
“Other side of the valley.”
“Do you know the address?”
She shook her head.
“But her sons live over there too.”
“My brothers?”
“Yeah.”
She smiled awkwardly.
“Nice houses.”
That hurt more than it should have.
“Both of them?”
“I think so.”
“What about Lily?”
The girl frowned.
“Who?”
“My daughter.”
Then recognition came.
“Oh.”
She stopped stocking.
“You’re Rebecca.”
I nodded.
Her entire posture changed.
She looked around.
Then lowered her voice.
“Lily lives with your mother, I think.”
“Still?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Do you know where?”
She shook her head.
Then said.
“You could try the church office.”
“Pastor Elaine knows everybody.”
I thanked her.
Outside, I sat on a bench and ate half the banana.
I saved the rest.
