GEYER AND MARGARET WENT HOME, DAD, Mom, and I went upstairs to change our clothes. We then somehow all migrated back to the kitchen table as if it were the only safe spot in the house. Rain continued to throw itself on our roof in waves instead of drops.Thunder rolled like crashing surf. Mom poured us a second mug of hot chocolate and we stared at the floating marshmallows as if they were tiny life preservers. For a long time, we hung out in the kitchen, me sipping loudly, trying to kill the silence. They kept looking at me, prodding me with their relentless staring to tell them something. Finally Dad caved. “There’s got to be some explanation,” he said. “You mean, beyond a hand from the grave?” Mom tried to joke but she sounded nervous. Dad didn’t seem to hear her. “You saw this ivy carving itself into the floor as you stood there, Courtney?” Dad asked gently. I nodded. “Margaret said that it was a sign, just like Mr. Geyer said,” I replied, as if that explained it all.
