Fiona's lilting accent was soothing to Keely's ears, like one of those pretty Irish love songs that her mother played over and over on the old stereo in the front room. Keely had tried so many times to imitate her, but her tongue just couldn't get the sound right. "Do I look like my da?" Keely asked. "Do I look like Seamus McClain?"

"What?"

She saw the flash of pain in her mother's eyes. But then it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Over the past few days, her mother had been in one of her "moods." She'd grown silent and sad, her expression distant. She'd stare out the window for hours, her attention fixed on the front walk of their flat, as if she were watching for that someone, waiting for that person's arrival. And Keely's conversations about her day at school went unheeded and unquestioned. Today was one of those sad days, a day when Keely was certain that Fiona was remembering her long-lost husband.

"Have you said your prayers?" her mother asked.

"Yes," Keely lied. "Three Hail Marys and an Our Father." Forget the lie. She'd do penance later. "Tell me about him, Ma."

Her mother's eyebrow shot up. "Three Hail Marys? Did you do something bad at school today?"

"No. I was just getting a little ahead. In case."

"To bed with you," Fiona ordered, clapping her hands. Keely hurried into her bedroom and pulled the covers over her. Fiona sat down on the edge of the bed and kissed Keely on her forehead. For the first time in almost two whole days, she smiled. "It's time for you to sleep," her mother murmured. "I have an early day tomorrow. We have to make the cake for the Barczak wedding. Three tiers with a fountain in the middle. And if you're very good, you can come with me on Saturday when we deliver the cake."

It had been her favorite thing to do when she was younger. But now it was just a chore, time spent away from her friends and a free Saturday afternoon. But this time Keely didn't complain. Her mother had seemed so sad that she was willing to do anything to keep her mood bright. "Will we get to see the bride?" Keely asked, the same silly question she used to ask.