I counted the days after the hearing by the trays of mochi I made.
One batch for each morning. One check of the mail after the first delivery. One glance at the inbox before we closed. Claire didn't ask how many days remained. I didn't tell her.
Owen wrote twice. I answered once. I told him about the hearing and Claire's statement. I didn't tell him I was waiting for the decision as if it might tell me what kind of person my sister was.
His reply was simple.
A decision about his release won't decide what your sister means to you. You'll still have to decide that yourself.
I folded the letter and placed it under the cash register.
The board's decision arrived on the twenty-sixth day. Claire was at the bakery when the mail carrier brought it. She signed for the envelope, then put it on
