I stayed several car lengths behind.
She walked farther than I expected.
Past the pharmacy.
Past the park.
Across a larger road.
Nearly a mile from home, she turned into a driveway bordered by low brick walls and carefully trimmed shrubs.
Nearly a mile from home, she turned into a driveway.
I slowed.
A sign stood near the entrance.
MEADOWBROOK MEMORY CARE RESIDENCE
I pulled over.
My daughter walked toward the front doors.
Before she reached them, one opened.
An elderly woman stepped outside.
She saw Maddie.
Her entire face lit up.
Then she reached for my daughter with both hands.
Her entire face lit up.
For one wild second, I nearly screamed Maddie’s name.
But Maddie dropped the faded overnight bag on the ground and wrapped her arms around her.
Like she’d done it a hundred times.
Then Frances appeared in the doorway.
I was out of the car before I realized I’d opened the door.
