The bouquet of calla lilies and gladiolas hadn"t decorated Ben"s grave the prior afternoon. Teddy knew because he"d visited the cemetery every day over the last few weeks, eager to make sense of all the tragedy in his life. His mother must"ve been there earlier that morning. According to her text messages, ones he"d intentionally unanswered, Olivia had arrived in Brandywine to celebrate her birthday with the entire family. Teddy had little interest in attending the event, but his silence and absence would pay an unfortunate price in the long run.
As he gently nudged a wilting, rogue lily in the opposite direction—everything must always be in proper order, a trait Teddy inherited from his mother—white petals fell from its bloom. They glided through the air and landed on a pile of dirt wher
