GS-At the Christmas celebration, I overheard my daughter-in-law proudl…

white beard and a voice like gravel under snow tires. He had changed the locks after Thomas died because I could not stand the thought of old keys wandering around the world.

“Martha,” he said when he answered. “Merry Christmas, a day late.”

“Merry Christmas, Arthur. I need the locks changed at the beach house today.”

He paused for less than a second.continue reading …