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I’d written the date and time on my kitchen calendar.

December 25. Noon. Adam’s house.

So when Renee called to cancel my visit, I couldn’t understand what had suddenly changed.

I looked down into my shopping cart.

There were clementines for Lily, yellow mustard for Noah, and all the ingredients I’d planned to use for my traditional pecan pie.

I’d even bought Adam’s favorite cranberry sauce.

Suddenly, the groceries seemed almost ridiculous.

Nevertheless, I finished shopping and paid the $87.40 bill.

Outside, the cold December wind swept across the parking lot as I loaded the bags into my Buick.

I sat behind the steering wheel for several minutes, trying to collect my thoughts.