I hugged my brother so hard that he squeaked. “Hey, let go! What’s the matter?” He pulled away. “I’m sorry. I just missed you so much.” It was true. I had missed him, though I hadn’t let myself think about him or Dad much. “Dad!” I hugged him tightly, and though he looked as surprised as Malcolm, he hugged me back. “Are you okay?” Dad asked, looking at me as if I was made of glass and might shatter any second. “This is going to sound crazy, but I saw Mom. I know where she is.” Now they both stared at me as if I had sprouted an extra eye. “It’s complicated, but let me explain. Just listen first and then you can think I’m a nut job.” We wound our way back down the circular stone staircase, coming out onto the modern street of the modern city with cars and bicycles and huge tour groups led by banner-waving guides.
