Part 2: I discovered my husband was having an affair with my best friend while we were all on the same airplane—and neither of them knew I was there. Instead of confronting them, I sent a small, beautifully wrapped gift to their seats.

I did not need that job.

I needed a life.
CHAPTER 8 — THREE YEARS AFTER I SENT THE JEWELRY BOX TO SEATS 2A AND 2B, OLIVER HANDED ME A BRACELET AND ASKED, “ARE YOU MY SISTER’S MOM?”

Three years after the flight to Chicago, my mother still gardened.

Carefully.

Harold checked on her almost daily.

Her original medical emergency turned out to be a medication-related blood-pressure drop.

Nothing sinister.

Nothing connected.

I loved that.

Not every frightening thing needed a second layer.

Sometimes a mother gets dizzy while gardening and simply gets better.

Ethan graduated college.

Sophie started nursing school.

Max was twelve and had become Oliver's favorite person on Earth.

Oliver was seven.

He still lived with Dawson.

The guardianship arrangement surprised everyone except Lena, apparently.

Dawson was good at it.

Not magically.

He forgot spirit days.

Packed terrible lunches.

Once sent Oliver to school wearing two different shoes because he didn't notice.