She packs Suzy’s things in her Hello Kitty suitcase, a pink quilted monstrosity on wheels. It’s May, only a few more weeks of school, so Suzy wouldn’t miss much. Annie includes Suzy’s snowsuits, her little fleece-lined boots, which she is sure to outgrow by next winter. But she wants to think ahead. Better to have too-small boots during a premature Oregon snowfall than none at all, right?

Of course, she packs bathing suits, too. Little sundresses. All the new clothes bought by Mrs. Keller’s friends and relatives post-death. Too precious and fancy for a three-year-old, but Annie has to admit they’re pretty.

There’s the rose-scented bubble bath that Suzy likes, which Annie purchases at the gift shop a town over. She hopes she can find the same brand in Oregon. She tucks it into the netted pocket on the inside of the suitcase. She should have bought more, stocked up. Maybe she can have the shop send more when this bottle runs out.

Mr. Keller gets ready for his trip on Friday morning. Annie would leave for theirs that afternoon, after picking Suzy up from school, and feeding her lunch. Hopefully then Suzy will be asleep for some of the car ride. They would arrive in Indiana late that night, where they’d stop at a motel to sleep for a few hours, and Annie would get her plates changed before heading back out. Her sister Alice had an old friend out there who Annie knew would be helpful.

That morning, Mr. Keller gives Suzy a long, wet kiss on the cheek. “Say bye-bye to Daddy,” Annie chirps. Suzy waves enthusiastically as he fills a thermos of coffee.

“Be a good girl, baby! Daddy will be back in no time.” He nuzzles her head, ignores or doesn’t notice the birthday present bracelet Annie has clasped around Suzy’s wrist, and hands Annie some cash for the weekend.

“Treat her to something fun. A hot fudge sundae. Go to the candy store or the toy store or something. I want her spoiled.” Annie nods in affirmation and pockets the money. It’ll be used on gas and the plate change.

She watches as Mr. Keller’s car winds down the drive. Annie knows he will accept her new role in Suzy’s life. He’ll know it’s what Suzy deserves. A mother who is fully devoted to her daughter. Who is alive. Maybe she’ll even let Mr. Keller visit one day. Most likely, though, he’ll be so distracted with moving back to the city and his next writing project that he’ll be glad to let Annie take the lead and Suzy off his hands. He said so himself, that she was good at this. That unlike himself, she knew what to do with Suzy.