My sister-in-law mistakenly sent me a photo that was meant for my husband—I smiled, saved it, and waited exactly six months.

slowly. A hotel bathroom.

Brooke in the mirror, one hip cocked, lips parted in that practiced half-smile she used at every birthday photo. She was wearing Daniel’s old gray college sweatshirt. The one he told me he had lost on a work trip last fall.

I opened the message.

Under the photo, four words: “Can’t wait for Friday.”

The seconds stretched until continue reading …