ng on that Boston sidewalk. "Being Isabelle's... well, having her as a patron, even if it's just

"Aunt Carol, I told you

you met out there? Ethan, you threw away a golden opportu

ated notions. "I need to get back to my hot

eaving them sputter

emote corner of the Pacifi

revitalization project, the work a wel

y depressed, surrounded by brea

travagant wedding reached me

't miss out on the society event of the

e, plunged me into a deeper despair. It was a confirmation of

our" felt more

rn, Clara and I had made a tri

h Aunt Carol

hock and disapproval when I intro

particularly aghast. Whispers of "country girl" and "

quiet dignity, her warmth a star

old childhood room, I foun

and forgotten mementos, was

, my own curt note: "

unt's house after I' d left

it. Probably hoping I'd come to

ut it. Now, it felt like