“Where’s papa?” I asked the woman. She was hesitant as if trying to find the right phrasing. “He’s in a better place, now.” Even though I was only five, I knew that that was a euphemism for “he died”. I didn’t say anything though as we both walked down a quiet suburban sidewalk. “Well, here we are. Your new home.” We stopped at a house that looked like the oldest in the neighborhood. Its roof and walls were corrugated as if it had learned to toughen up over the years. I’m going to have to toughen up too. “I know it’s not as glamorous as the house you used to live in Matt-is it okay if I call you Matt-anyway, but I’m sure you’ll grow to like it.” I looked up once again at the house and, for the first time in a while, smiled. “I think you’re right, Rebecca.”

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