The kitchen looked particularly cheerful this Wednesday morning, with the sun streaming through the bow window. A large bowl of bright spring flowers graced the center of the table in the breakfast nook. She stared at the bright-lemon-colored bowl holding the flowers. “I was wearing a yellow shirt that day and…and…blue jeans, bib overalls, I think that came to the top of my socks. I was, Lola. That’s what I was wearing. My dress to wear to the church supper was hanging on the door at home. The yellow shirt had long sleeves, and I was wearing the jeans because Mom didn’t want me to get dirty. My God, that’s another memory. See, see! This is what I mean. It comes out of nowhere. I’m remembering. I’m finally remembering.” Excitement rang in Cady’s voice as her gaze went from one to the other. “Say something,” she implored. “It’s happening! It’s finally happening!”

Lola folded her arms over her thin chest. “I told you, it was just a matter of time. We’re delighted for you. Oh, isn’t life wonderful! Now, tell us what you’re going to do.”

Cady looked across the table as the trio stared at her intently. “I don’t know if you realize it or not, but the three of you are giving off vibes to me that say you know something you haven’t shared with me. This might be a good time to…you know…unload so that we’re all on the same page. Well?”

“There is no well, sweetie. When you get old your face freezes into different expressions, and you have to wait for the muscles to relax. Isn’t that right, Mandy?” Lola asked breezily.

“That’s about the damnedest, lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. If that’s the way you want it, be warned that I’ll figure it out. I went to college! Now, do you think I should call Mom or actually go up there to see them in the flesh? Visiting is always so uncomfortable. They don’t like it when I visit. The truth is, we have nothing to say to one another. However, if I call, Mom can hang up on me, which she usually does. Face-to-face, I can stand my ground. Dad can’t get away from me in his wheelchair. What do you think? Maybe seeing them will trigger something else.”

“I’d call,” Mandy said carefully.

“I agree. If your mother hangs up on you, then you can think about visiting. Vermont is not exactly around the corner, child,” Anthony said. He creaked to his feet and headed for the coffeepot. “We’re having banana macadamia pancakes for breakfast, with warm banana syrup and globs of melted butter.”

“Lola, what do you think?” Cady asked hesitantly, not liking the look she was seeing on her grandmother’s face.

Lola cleared her throat. “I think it’s one of those either/or decisions. If you absolutely need an answer, then I’d go with a phone call first.”

“That’s pretty much my thinking, too. As wonderful as those pancakes sound, Anthony, I’m going to pass on them. I’m going back to the library to call my mother. Then I’m going to head out to visit Andy Hollister. He’s the only one I haven’t made contact with. I’d like to see what his reaction is. Do you mind?”