The Only Door That Opened When the Others Closed

the black velvet box between them. “They had neighbors over. Arthur told them how proud he was of my art.”

Carol looked at the box but did not touch it. She smoothed the hem of her blue cotton apron, her face pale in the soft light of the kitchen. “And your mother?”

“She gave me this,” Ivy said, opening the box to reveal the tarnish on the silver locket.continue reading …