around her had never allowed her to say.
Near the entrance, my mother hurried toward us.
“Annie, wait. At least let Amelia stay for the family pictures.”
I stopped.
“For Amelia’s sake,” Mom added.
Before I could respond, Amelia looked up at her grandmother.
“Mom came because I needed her.”
She tightened her arms around the candle.
“That’s what supporting family means.”
For once, my mother had no argument.
Instead, she silently picked up Amelia’s coat and helped her put it on.
Behind us, the photographer began calling people together
