Handled well, salmon skin can transform from something people trim away into a highlight of the meal. Patting the fish dry, seasoning lightly, and searing it skin-side…

Barbara looked at the stepdaughter who had dropped the key fob into her palm and at the stepson who had studied the porch rail rather than speak….

Margaret looked at the sister who had shared a bedroom, a lifetime of phone calls, and the slow fog of memory loss. She spoke only to Theo….

Ellen looked at the stepson who had handed her packing tape at eight in the morning and at the memory of the daughter who would not meet…

Margaret looked at the woman who had handed her a schedule at her only child’s funeral and at the memory of the sister who had studied her…