“I regret that it was true.”

Chapter 4

Three months after we moved, all three Bennett children returned to Ohio for Richard’s birthday.

Patricia had told everyone they needed to “sit down as a family.”

For once, Susan, Rebecca, and Mark agreed, though not quite for the reason she imagined.

Dinner remained peaceful for about an hour.

Richard opened gifts, Rebecca showed pictures of her son’s battered first car, and we ate roast beef before Patricia brought out the cake.

Then, somewhere between cake and coffee, she looked at Mark.

“I wish you lived closer. It’s been very difficult on us since you decided Colorado was more important than family.”

Susan stopped stirring her coffee.

Mark set down his fork.

Richard murmured, “Patty.”

“What? It’s true.”

“No,” Susan said.

She opened a folder she had brought.

“Do you know how many appointments Mark took you and Dad to last year?”