I pulled into my sister’s driveway on a cool late September afternoon, the kind where the air feels still and expectant, like it is holding its breath for whatever comes next. I had driven over straight from work in downtown Milwaukee, still in my blazer, still with my laptop bag in the back seat, telling myself this visit would be simple. One day before Evelyn’s wedding. One quick check-in. One last sister moment before everything in her life shifted. It was strange how hopeful I still was, even after all these years of drifting apart.

