Fred Burton stopped shouting. His face crumpled, as fury gave way to anxiety and hurt. “You’re right, Mrs. Levine, and I’m sorry. But it was such a shock”

Papa hadn’t given any details. He’d just said that Marjorie had disappeared and they needed Annie’s help

Whatever the reason, Marjorie surprised herself by beginning to speak about her “yesterday”

Stop thinking so much about your own problems, Annie. Think about Moey

“So where is this other stop, the one you really want to make, using this shivah business as a pretext?”

Marjorie glanced down at the Chai pendant. I’ll think about what I should tell them while I’m packing

But stay? Forever? Eating endless potatoes and talking to the old fogeys who wanted to marry her off to just about anyone?

“Abe, you couldn’t sleep. That’s not like you. Is it about the war?”

How can I sit at the dining room table, knowing that next week Mutty’s chair will be empty?

“Sweetheart, I told Mutty his mother is a remarkable woman. And you know what? I was right”