nine
Georgetown
September 3
1:30 a.m.
As the elevator slowly rose to the third floor, Elsa’s insides clenched tighter and tighter. She kept thinking about the last time she’d spoken to her mother.
“And you really enjoy living in that place? Where did you move again, Honey?”
“Swan Harbor, mom,” Elsa answered impatiently, thinking about the boxes that needed unpacking. “Remember, you told me you’d heard about it from grandpa?”
“I did? That’s right I did.” Patty laughed, but it sounded distracted as if she too were thinking of other things she needed to do. “But you really enjoy it?”
“Yes, mom,” Elsa sighed again, having answered the same question several times. “How’s Doris and Bill?”
“Who?”
“Doris and Bill,” Elsa repeated. “Your neighbors.”
“Oh her,” Patty’s voice lowered as if s
