When a Scruffy Little Dog Refused to Let an Old Woman Disappear

they would never let their mother be alone like that,” she said. “And maybe they wouldn’t. Or maybe they would, quietly, in a dozen little ways, because life is complicated and distance is more than miles.”

No one said anything. The grill sizzled. The clock ticked. Somewhere, a fork clinked against a plate.

“I came here because I wanted to see the people continue reading …