“She was so young, but hard. Reserved. I don’t think I was too kind to her. I was very much on my high horse about everything those days. Anneliese, she seemed both in awe and resigned to be working for your parents, like she couldn’t quite decide whether she enjoyed the job or not. There was something unsettling, almost secretive about her. It was like she was the calmest person in the world, but also could snap at any moment. It was very strange. She was amazing with you, though. She really did love you, for what it’s worth. Obviously, that may have warped into something different later. But the way she looked at you, my God. It was like you were not only the sun, but the entire solar system.” She pauses and dabs at her eyes.

“It’s funny. I remember when my first son was born, I felt like there was something wrong with me that I didn’t feel like that. I loved Adam, more than I’d loved anything else in my life. But I still loved my husband, my friends, my hobbies. With Anneliese, you were her everything, her partner, her friends, her extracurriculars all wrapped into one.” She tips the last of her cider into her mouth.

Then the subject changes to Gavin and his work, my job hunt and my own art. We finish off the last of the giant cheese plate, and Georgia says she should get going, that she was supposed to pick up Elias from a friend’s house over half an hour ago. We bundle back into our coats and hats, bracing ourselves for the blistering cold outside.

“You know, your parents’ house is only about two hours north of here. You should visit it some time. It was an incredible property, and I’m sure it’s still standing. They’re usually all about historical preservation up there. Only God knows if it has one of those hideous new wings or whatnot. Anyway, you could visit, say hi to it. And of course, you should come stay with us at some point, too. Adam and Elias would love to meet a new cousin.” I say I’d love that, and we kiss on the cheek, our hug lasting over a minute before we part ways to our separate cars.