I remembered standing in the pawn shop with that bracelet in my palm, telling myself objects were only objects. I remembered using the money to cover Daniel’s emergency business expense. I remembered crying in the car afterward, wiping my face before picking Lily up from preschool.
Had Daniel bought it back?
Had he kept it hidden?
Was it guilt? Control? A trophy?
I didn’t know.
But as I fastened it around my wrist, something inside me steadied.
My mother had not vanished.
My aunt had not abandoned me.
Pieces of love had been waiting in places I had not known to search.
A knock sounded downstairs.
Lily stiffened.
Mr. Meyers called from below. “Mrs. Carter? There is something you should see.”
I told the children to stay in my room, but this time they both shook their heads.
“No more secrets,” Lily said.
I looked at her.
Then I nodded.
