When she finished she put her dishes in the sink. Wrapping a sweater around her shoulders, she walked back into the house and pushed open a door.
Her mother was still sleeping. She crossed the room and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm off," she said. "You want to meet for lunch?"
Her mother had been sleeping a lot since they had moved. Now she stretched and put an arm aaround her daughter's neck. "You have lunch," Nancy said, "make some friends. Stay at school."
"What about you?"
Her mother pulled herself up. "Don't worry about me."
"But I do." Jennifer sat on the bed and her mother smoothed her daughter's hair.
"This is the best it's ever been," Nancy said. "For me, at least."
Jennifer nodded. Her hand rested on her mother's. "I know. I guess I just never wanted to get here this way."
Nancy smiled. "At least we're here. I think it's where we take it that matters now."
"I know that." She squeezed her mother's hand and stood up. "I know. It's just kind of hard."
Nancy didn't let go of her. She looked up. "Okay, how about if, just today, I come down and have lunch? One time. Get you over the hump. Get me out of the house, too. I think I'm getting ready for that. Maybe I'll even call Tom."
Jennifer thought about that. "That'd be good, Mom. I'd like that."
The last school color picture of Matt was blown-up to eight-by-ten and framed on a small table by the front door. On her way out, Jennifer stopped, as she always did. This time, she picked it up, holding it in front of her. A gap-toothed Matt smiled at her. She kissed the glass.
Putting the frame back in it's place, she opened the door, took in a deep breath and walked out into the morning.