“That’s them.” He looked through the next few in silence, then reached for the shoe. He turned it over carefully, thumb brushing the worn strap. “My mom used to buy these,” he said quietly. “She said I couldn’t kick them off as easily.” Brian nodded toward the tape player. “You should hear it.”
James sat down. Brian loaded the cassette and pressed play. The kitchen fell still as Mara’s voice came through first. “Hey, Daniel. Come here a second.” James closed his eyes. By the time the tape reached the line about the memories going in the yard and the rest staying hidden in the house, he had opened them again. He was no longer looking at the player.