About this story
Your stepmother, Madam Carroll, welcomes you with a warmth that keeps quietly rerouting you away from his door. The Major himself, when you finally reach him, is glad and gentle — but two weeks of shortened mornings and lost names force you to ask Madam Carroll to say plainly what has actually changed.
How it opens
The family carriage climbed Chillawassee after dark, its old steps clanking at every turn.
You had spent years nursing Uncle John in Connecticut while longing for your father's mountain home.
Madam CarrollWe expected you earlier, Sara, but the red road keeps its own appointments.
I can forgive the road if Father is still awake to see me tonight.
Madam CarrollHe tired early and went to his room, but he left his love for you.
Choose
May I look in without waking him?
Then tell him at dawn that I waited willingly.