*Summer*

Not a word is spoken as my brother’s car carries us to the countryside village, which only causes my nerves to tauten. Dion and James sit opposite me, both looking as though they are on their way to a funeral.

It should be a day of rejoicing, a journey toward happiness, yet worry begins to take hold. I want to ask James a hundred questions.

What is my daughter’s name ? What does she look like ? What does she like to do ? What makes her laugh ? Does she eat her vegetables ?

I had almost brought the kitten with me, to bring me comfort, to remind...