“You know, I’m really so glad you could all visit. I realize, Sam, that your mother’s trip was quite last-minute and unplanned, and that it’s been a disruptive time for you and your family. But it’s been a gift for me having those days, so thank you for letting me borrow her for a while. And then, to see you too!…What a treat.” She glances at me. “And you, Gillian.” She clears her throat. “And I know your visit is very short, Sam, but I’d love to introduce you to a little bit of my neighborhood. I have a favorite restaurant nearby that I think you might like—I asked your mom if we could maybe all go to lunch there today.”

“Cool,” Sam says, tipping back his Coke and crunching on an ice cube. “I really like Miami so far. I like those huge chess sets in the park.”

Lorna laughs.

“Oh yes, they’re very popular.”

I excuse myself to use the restroom before we head out, and it’s a relief to be away from the conversation for a minute. It all feels a bit intense. I splash water on my face, and in the vanity mirror a flushed, serious-eyed person stares back at me. I have a slight headache and venture to pull back the mirrored door in case there’s a bottle of Advil inside—and I guess out of curiosity too. But what I see chastens me instantly. The cabinet’s full of pain medications, over-the-counter ones and prescription ones too. I close it, feeling guilty. I guess it’s nothing I didn’t already know. It’s just a reminder, though, of what Lorna’s going through and of what Sam doesn’t yet know.

Back inside, Sam’s saying something about Mom and I see Lorna dart a quick look towards Abigail.

“Gloria’s here? She came with you?”

Abigail clears her throat.

“Yes, she flew in with Sam and Gillian.”

Lorna frowns down at her glass of water.

“She didn’t want to see me?”

“I…” Abigail glances my way. “I didn’t know you’d want that.”

Sam blinks, sensing the tension in the room, his eyes darting from Lorna to Abigail.

Lorna glances towards the window. “Well, it’s been such a long time,” she says. “Such a very long time. I would say we’re overdue.”

“She could come meet us?” Sam says helpfully. “For lunch?”

Abigail swallows, looks helplessly at me.

“I think that’s a very good idea, Sam,” Lorna says, and looks around at my sister and me. “Maybe one of you can give her a call?”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

Calle Ocho, it turns out, is the main artery of Little Havana, and Lorna leads the way unhesitatingly to a little restaurant on a corner that looks no different from the others.