Hazel followed her into the room, holding a half-eaten graham cracker in her hand.

“We saw a big green caterpillar on the driveway,” Hazel said, her dark eyes wide and serious.

“It was very bright,” Ruby added, looking up at me.

I smoothed Ruby’s curls and forced a warm smile, my heart softening instantly.

“Did you leave it in the garden?” I asked.

“Yes,” Hazel said, nodding. “We gave it a big oak leaf so it wouldn’t get hot.”

I glanced down at my personal cell phone.

Gloria’s name was still flashing across the screen, the vibration humming against the polished mahogany of my desk.

“Go wash your hands, girls,” I said softly, patting Ruby’s shoulder. “I need to take this call.”

Hazel nodded, taking her younger sister’s hand to lead her toward the bathroom down the hall.

I waited until I heard the bathroom door click shut before I picked up the phone.

I slid my thumb across the screen.

“Hello, Gloria,” I said.

“Jocelyn,” Gloria’s voice came through, sharp and dry as Texas summer grass.

She did not ask how I was doing.