It was in a local Austin bank, untouched for ten years.

“And then?” Dylan asked.

“I will book a taxi to pick you up at the lobby entrance,” I said. “It will take you to a hotel near the airport in Kahului.”

“I’ll book you a room there for tonight.”

“What about the flight?”

“It leaves tomorrow at eight in the morning,” I said. “You’ll fly to Austin. I’ll be waiting at the terminal.”

I heard a muffled sound on the other end of the line.

It was Chloe.

“Mom?” her voice came through, shaky and wet.

“I’m here, sweetie,” I said.

“Valerie is being so mean,” Chloe sobbed. “She blamed us. She said it’s our fault because you’re trying to ruin her wedding.”

“It’s not your fault, Chloe,” I said. “Valerie is just scared. She’s realizing who she married.”

“I want to come home,” Chloe said. “I don’t want to go back to the house in Westlake.”

I looked out at the empty space where the house used to be.

The oak trees stood tall in the moonlight, their branches empty.