“Yes, a Midwestern city in the state of Indiana. She said it was bordered on the west by Illinois, east Ohio, south Kentucky, north Michigan.”

“Jeez, you’re good. I mean with geography.”

“Well, what can I say? It was always hard for your mother and me to locate ourselves in time. Luckily our paths occasionally crossed. But I always wanted to locate myself in space, on Earth. I’ve heard about what your century’s done in space. The moon and all.”

“That was actually the last century, Dad.”

“Oh, the mere twentieth century. Yes, the moon landing! What’s his name, Neil Armstrong? Your mother told me about it.” He took a deep breath and looked at her again. This time taking in her every feature, every freckle. “So you like it, living there with your grandmother?”

Rose shrugged. “It’s . . . it’s all right, but . . .”

“But what, dear?”

Rose started to cry again. “I’m sort of a half orphan, you know. I’d like it better if you were there too.”

“If I were there? But how could that work? I know so little about your century, your culture. I’d stick out like a sore thumb.”

“No, you wouldn’t, Dad. Look at me. Do I stick out here?”

“No, you don’t. Nor did your mum, except perhaps for her accent.”

“But Dad, wouldn’t you at least consider it?”

“Of course I’d consider it. You’re my daughter. The only child I have. But what would I do there?”

“You’d be a goldsmith, like here.”

“But how would I get there? When you go back, how does it happen?”

“It doesn’t seem to be in my control, Dad. Just kind of a whim. A whim of time.”

“Yes, your mother couldn’t exactly explain it to me either.”

“Tell me one thing, Dad. When she did leave, did it seem as if she were gone a long time?”

“Not exactly. One minute she was there. Then she’d be back, and it might have been in her time, twenty-first-century time, days or even months since her last visit. But the most peculiar thing was that I was never exactly aware of her being gone.” He bent down and picked up a rose blossom by his feet. “It was almost like this rose. The scent lingered. I didn’t seem to be fully conscious that she was gone—until these last few years.”

“Years, you say?”

“Yes, years.”

“Interesting, because in truth, Dad, Mom only died a few months ago.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If there is a way, will you come back with me?”