I chewed my lip some more. Maybe Gloria had changed. She was right. People could do that. People could be better. Dr. Westerly even said so. Maybe she felt bad about everything. About what she did to Rowan. Or maybe she was confused when it happened and thought she was doing something right. Some parts of it were still fuzzy. Maybe those parts were just a dream. I wasn’t sure.

“I decided you’re going to come see me every week. We’ll iron this out in person. Knit you and me back together. Like we used to be.”

I swallowed and nodded. My eyes were burning, and I kept blinking. The lady at the next table was crying. She was smoking and picking at a dot of black on her cheek. It wasn’t coming off.

“You listening to me? Or is that stranger so interesting you can’t tear yourself away? Maybe you should go sit over there with her. You seem to like her so much better.”

My leg bobbed up and down. “I’m sorry, Gloria.”

She touched my cheek with her finger. “That’s okay, darling. I’d just like to spend this time together. Me and you. Tell you everything that’s going on.”

“I’m sorry,” I said again.

“I already got a lot of friends, Bids. I keep busy. Sometimes I’m in the laundry, and sometimes I help in the kitchen. We got a garden. I’ve been going to church. Don’t miss a week.” She smiled. “And I’ve also met someone special. Well, not met exactly. Yet!” She rolled her eyes, but in a nice way. “I got a letter the first week I was here. And I took a chance and wrote him back. And so it goes. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have someone I can rely on. Who believes in me and supports me.” My hand was in hers again. I didn’t know how it got there. “His name’s Timothy. Isn’t that a handsome name? We’re already making plans—you know, once all this annoyance gets sorted?”

Gloria giggled. She seemed so happy. I didn’t know if I was happy for her. But if I was, was that okay? I had to remember to ask Dr. Westerly.

“You drift off again?”

I shook my head.

“ ’Cause I got something important to say.” She coughed. “I’m sorry if your growing up hasn’t been perfect. I’m sorry you think wrong things the way you do. I’m sorry my own daughter can hold such a repulsive grudge against me.” She folded her arms across her chest. “There. I made a proper apology. I hope you see fit to accept it.”

I looked her in the eyes. Just for a second. I wanted to say something, but my mind was all muddy. Nothing would come out.