"Dad was brave," Ava said.
"Yes," Monique said.
"And Andrew was sad."
"Yes," Thomas said.
"And you two were both stuck with it." Ava's voice was steady. She had grown into a young woman of considerable steadiness. "I'm glad I ran. I'm glad I didn't listen when you told me to come back." She looked at her mother, then at Thomas. "Is that okay to say?"
Monique laughed, a real laugh, startled and bright. "It's more than okay. It's the truth. And we have a policy about the truth in this house now."
"Which is?" Ava asked.
Thomas answered, because the answer belonged to all of them.