“That’s not what I’m thinking.”

While they waited for her to say something more, Sam tried to get her thoughts together. “I’ve regretted that so much time has gone by and that we’ve been out of touch for so long. I... I’ve come to realize there was a lot more to the story of what happened between you and Dad than I knew back then. And...it’s probably time to put the past where it belongs. I want you to know Scotty and Nick, and me too, I guess.”

“I’d love that, Sam,” Brenda said softly as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I’m sorry for the way I left and for what happened with Jerry. I never should’ve let that happen while your father and I were still married. That was wrong, and I’m sorry I hurt you—and your dad. You all deserved better from me.”

Sam had waited nearly twenty years to hear her mother express regret over what’d happened the day after Sam’s high school graduation. And after carrying deep-seated resentment for all those years, she was surprised at how a few sincerely spoken words could effectively dispose of the anger. “Apology accepted.”

“I also want you to know that I’ve been to see your dad and Celia, and we had a nice talk. It was good to see him, and to have a chance to talk to her. He seems to be doing well, all things considered.”

“He’s better than he was,” Sam said. “We’ve learned to be grateful for small victories.”

The four of them chatted for another hour before Brenda got up to leave. “It was so nice to see you, Sam. Thank you for having me.”

Sam hugged her mother, holding on for longer than she’d intended. When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes and her mother’s. “It was good to see you. Keep me in the loop on the surgery and everything.”

“I’ll do that.” She hugged and kissed Angela and Tracy and thanked Zach, who held the door for her.

“That went well,” Angela said.

“Very well,” Tracy added. “How do you feel about it, Sam?”

“I feel...relieved and concerned for her and for us in light of her diagnosis.”

“Knowledge is power,” Tracy said. “Now that we know, we can be proactive. That’s how I’m choosing to see it.”

“That’s a good way to look at it,” Sam said.

Her sisters left a short time later. Sam went upstairs to look for Nick and Scotty and found them lying on their bed with the Caps game on much louder than she would have it. She crawled in between them and straight into her husband’s arms.

“I’m outta here if you start anything,” Scotty said.

“He’s such a buzz killer,” Sam said. “What we were thinking adopting him?”