I set the box on the hood of my car. “I’m not putting anything in storage,” I said. “I sold the house. We closed on Friday. I’m moving to the cabin for good, the way your father and I always planned.” Allison stared at me as if I had spoken another language. Behind her, my granddaughters pressed their faces to the window.

“You can’t,” she finally said. “Mom, you can’t move up there.” “Why not?” She swallowed hard, and her eyes slid toward the car, then back to me. “Because Dwight and Peggy already gave notice on their townhouse,” she whispered. “Spencer told them it was settled. Their movers are coming Saturday.” I pulled the locksmith’s receipt out of my pocket and held it up. “Then they’ll need a key that works.”