Behind us, the patio door slid open.
Mom walked outside carrying a bright gift bag.
“Dawn? Why are you standing out front? I brought the boys their presents.”
Then she saw Rowan.
My mother froze as though she were staring at a ghost.
“Dawn,” she whispered.
I moved between her and my son.
“Which boys, Mom?”
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
“You brought gifts for Riley and Rex,” I said. “But you knew there were three.”
Watson stepped beside me.
“You told us Rowan died.”
Mom tightened her grip around the gift bag.
“Not now. Let’s do this later, when the backyard isn’t crawling with teenagers.”
“No,” I said. “Let’s do it now.”
The noise from the backyard faded.
Riley reached the patio door first.
Rex appeared directly behind him.
“Mom?” Riley asked. “What’s going on?”
Watson’s voice cracked.
“Boys, this is Rowan.”
Rex stared at the young man in front of us.
