Cody’s face was buried in her hair as he pulled her to his chest. The rest of the room went silent as she struggled, once again, for air. The doctor was still talking, but his voice faded as if he were an image on the television with the volume turned down. And then he walked away.

Cody led her to a chair, away from the others. They’d all gone. They’d all had lives somewhere else. Louisa had Nantucket, and that meant she had Maggie. In all her loneliness, she’d always had Maggie.

And now she didn’t. Now she had no one.

She covered her face with her hands and wiped her cheeks dry, aware that Cody’s body was so close to hers she could sink into him if she let herself. Instead, she tensed. She dug down deep and forced herself to be strong, the way Maggie taught her to be.

“Will you listen to her now?” she asked out loud to the entire room. She scanned their faces and found confusion on every one. “She told us to forgive. It was the last thing she said to us. Are any of you willing to listen? Is anyone willing to admit they were wrong? Is anyone able to say they’re sorry?”

Nobody spoke. Eyes collectively fell to the floor. Cody reached for her hand, but she tore it away.

“I’ll go first,” she said through tears. “I’m sorry for being stupid enough to think that if we were all together again, you would remember what it was like when we were family.”

“It wasn’t stupid, Lou,” Cody said quietly.

“It was,” she said sadly, her voice quivering. She looked at Marissa. “I’m sorry for what I did to Cody all those years ago. I’m sorry for everything that happened that night. If I could change it, I would—you don’t know how many times I’ve wished for that. How many letters I’ve written and not sent. How many prayers I’ve prayed.”

“Louisa.” Cody’s tone warned, but she couldn’t stop. She knew she was likely ruining any chance at absolving herself, but she had to continue.

She looked at her mom. “I’m sorry I accused you of having an affair with Daniel.”

Marissa’s eyes shot to JoEllen.

“I know it wasn’t true, and I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you.” She looked at Cody. “And I’m sorry for ever breaking your heart.”

“Lou, it’s fine. We’re past this.”