“There,” Mallory said as she hung a red ornament, bringing her from her reverie.

Each spent the evening lost in her own thoughts as they decorated the Christmas tree. Although it was okay, Jocelyn missed her mother. When their parents were alive, their father would string the lights and then he would sit back and watch as their mother orchestrated decorating the tree with the girls.

“What are you thinking about?” Mallory asked, out of the blue.

Jocelyn sighed, debating on whether or not to tell her, but then relented. “I was just thinking about Mom and Dad.” Jocelyn smiled at the memory. “How Dad would string the lights, and...