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Ramion said, “Your mother?” Sage rarely talked about her, although she’d often mention her father who died when she was a young girl.
    “She called when she heard about the bombing. She was upset and pretty insistent about seeing me. I was reluctant…”
    “Why? I don’t understand why you’re so angry with her.”
    “We can’t change the past, Ramion. Why talk about it?”
    * * * * *
    Sage spotted her mother in the crowded hotel lobby. Audra Hicks looked as if she were posed for a still photo—her hands folded neatly on her lap, her legs demurely crossed at the ankles and her face void of expression and unassuming. Only her eyes revealed her nervousness.
    Sage stared at her for several minutes before approaching. A kaleidoscope of memories spun in her mind. Audra walking her to kindergarten and greeting her with a warm smile when she returned. Audra bent over the sewing machine, making her clothes. Audra sprinkling cinnamon on the rolls before putting them in the oven.
    Sage walked slowly, repressing the thought that each step closer to her mother was a step into the past. Sage swallowed the urge to cry, unsure whether the tears that threatened were tears of sorrow or joy. Her mother looked so very different, so much older than she remembered. She was a deeper shade of brown, still thin, and her wavy black hair was peppered with grey. Her features were the same, but there was a withered edge to them. She had a firmly planted picture of her mother in her mind. But, suddenly, it was as if an artist had touched up the picture of her creation, adding strokes of living and pain.
    “Hello, Mama,” Sage said with a bittersweet smile.
    Audra sprang up from her chair, coming to life like a resuscitated patient. “Sage, my daughter, you look so good, so beautiful,” Audra said, and wrapped her arms around her daughter, hugging her tightly. She saw her deceased husband’s amber skin, green eyes and soft smile in Sage’s face.
    Sage stiffened in her mother’s embrace. It took several moments for Audra to realize that Sage was as cold and unyielding as a statue. Self-consciously, Audra drew back and stared into eyes she hadn’t seen in ten years, eyes that she had hoped would offer forgiveness.
    “I hope you didn’t have a hard time finding the hotel,” Sage said.
    “I came over in a cab,” Audra said, encouraged by the polite conversation. “You look so good, baby. Prettier than your pictures. Your father would have been so proud. You’re successful. You’re intelligent,” she said, reaching up to stroke Sage’s cheek. “You certainly have your father’s spirit and determination.”
    “Thank you,” Sage said awkwardly. She couldn’t imagine how her father would feel about her. She often wondered how different their lives would have been if Satchel had lived. “I’ve invited Ramion to join us for dinner. We’ve been seeing…”
    “I know who he is. Ava told me all about him.”
    “Good old Ava,” Sage said, not surprised that her half sister would share that information. “How does Aaron like pilot school?” Sage inquired about her half brother.
    “He’s excited, but I worry. Flying is so dangerous. I was scared to death until the plane landed,” Audra said, her face crunched into a worried frown.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Ramion suddenly interrupted.
    “That’s okay, honey,” Sage said, glad to change the subject and introduce her mother to Ramion.
    “Very good to meet you,” Audra said with a generous smile. “I’m just so happy to be in Atlanta.”
    “Atlanta’s glad to have you,” Ramion said, turning on the charm. “Have you been anywhere special?”
    “Just to the King Center. It was so inspiring.”
    “Excuse me,” Aaron Hicks said, easing next to his wife. “Hello, everyone.”
    Sage’s hand flew to her mouth. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, venom in her voice. She stared at her stepfather with hostile eyes, as she had never wanted to see him again.
    “I