Rain tapped against the tall windows.

"May I come in?"

Mrs. Gable smiled.

"You already saved me once tonight. You don't need permission."

Clara sat beside her.

"Are you all right?"

The old woman's fingers tightened around her shawl.

"I am."

She hesitated.

"At least physically."

Clara noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"What happened to you?"

Mrs. Gable looked toward the fireplace.

"Years ago, this house was different."

"Different how?"

"Full."

She paused.

"My son was alive. My daughter-in-law was alive. Julian was a child."

Clara listened.

"There was another person in this family."

Mrs. Gable's voice dropped.

"A daughter."

Clara stared.

"Julian had a sister?"

Mrs. Gable nodded.

"Her name was Evelyn."

Then the old woman's expression changed.

"She disappeared twenty years ago."