Her mother sighed but changed the topic. Knowing without being told that Anna just wanted to hear their voices, she and Gloria continued the conversation, telling Anna about the goings-on in town, the preserves they were making, and their success at the farmers market. Her mom had a life she loved now, and she’d taken a risk to get there. It hadn’t been easy, raising a daughter by herself. It wasn’t until college that Anna had found out her mom had a girlfriend. Her mom hadn’t hidden it because Anna would have a problem with her being bisexual. Her mom had hidden it because her relationship with Gloria was real and special, because it was so important to her. Anna had been dismissive of her mother’s girlfriend. What a foolish reaction.

When some asshole had yelled curses and slurs at Anna’s mother on the street, Anna had been shocked into silence, but Gloria had stepped between the man and her mother without hesitation. Gloria was better than good enough for her mom.

The phone call ended with the two women imploring Anna to call if she needed anything. She’d agreed and got a car to Jenny’s apartment in a daze.

Anna’s phone on the coffee table buzzed. She scrambled for it. Maybe it was—

No, it was a number she didn’t recognize. She answered the call.

“Ms. Kovács?” the voice asked.

“That’s me.”

“Well, I’ve been trying to reach you. You haven’t paid your rent, and we’re going to have to empty the unit.”

It took a moment for Anna to remember she’d stored all her things after leaving Tom’s house. Her past, her beginning, was packed in boxes and waiting in a sweltering storage space.

“Can I pay up? Come get the stuff?” Anna didn’t know if she wanted it, but she wanted to have the option.

“If you can come today.” The call ended.

She didn’t have anything else to do, so she dragged herself off the couch and out the door.

Two hours later, she rolled open the door of the storage unit. Boxes and odds and ends from the prior years confronted her. She would probably get rid of it; she didn’t need any memories from her marriage.

Her phone rang.

“Anna, how was the flight? How’s John? Tell him hi from us. We are having breakfast on the veranda. It’s like I’m in a Regency romance.”

“Darling, how kind,” Reed responded.

Anna was pretty sure they were each speaking to her on a separate landline phone, like a couple of grandparents. She didn’t know if she was jealous or hated it. Probably both.

“This place is amazing,” Jenny said. “I might retire so I can spend my days worrying about how the roses are faring.”