I’d noticed that too—how towards the end of lunch she seemed to be flagging, and losing a bit of color.

“I’ll go settle the check,” I say. “And then we can decide.”

Inside, a busy server points me to the bar where I wait to pay. I’m right next to the restroom entrance: over the sound of a tap running, two familiar voices drift out from through the saloon doors.

“You did a good job with her, Gloria,” Lorna’s saying.

Mom scoffs. “Lorna, we’ve been locking horns since before she was thirteen years old. She spent most of her adult life about as far away from me as she could get.”

The tap shuts off.

“You’re here with her, aren’t you? And so is her sister. That’s family.” Lorna pauses. “There’s something feral in us, Gloria—there was in my mother, there is in me, and perhaps it’s the same in Abigail. Maybe she’s always just been staying as near as that side of her will allow.”

There’s what sounds to me like a skeptical pause, and then Mom sighs.

“I thought I’d do it better,” she says. “I thought I’d do it so much better.”

“Gloria,” Lorna says, “don’t mourn your failures.” I can hear the touch of a smile in her voice. “You’ve always had high standards, you know. That’s why I knew Abigail would be raised well, with you and Greg.”

The silence lengthens, and I hear the sound of Mom blowing her nose.

I quietly settle the check and head back outside into the sun.

“They’re taking forever, aren’t they?” Abigail says.

I look at her. “I think they’re making up for lost time.”

Mom and Lorna emerge from the restaurant a while later, Lorna looking much the same but Mom distinctly red-eyed.

“Well,” Lorna says, “I hate to be the party pooper, but I have to admit I’m feeling a little…” She glances at Sam. “A little tired. But Sam, this has been a real treat. You’re going to visit tomorrow morning before you go, right?”

“That’s right,” Abigail says, her voice tight. I can tell she’s already thinking about tomorrow’s goodbye; about how much weight it’s going to carry. “How about Sam and I walk you home?”

“I’d like that,” Lorna says. She looks at Mom and me. “What about you two, will you join us?”

“Certainly.” Mom flushes.

Abigail shoots her a look of annoyance; I hesitate.

“My husband’s just arrived into town. I think I’d better go back to the hotel.”

“Oh, indeed,” Lorna says graciously. “Well—I’m so glad to have met you, Gillian. Perhaps you’ll swing by tomorrow with Abigail and Sam, if you have time.”

I nod.