Then, without warning, a black-and-white picture filled the screen—her grandmother in her twenties, eyes bright, hair pinned neatly, wearing the same pendant Elise now carried. They had found the old photo while clearing up after her grandma’s funeral. Mara had taken a pic of it to send to the relatives.
But what should have been a warm moment shifted suddenly. The veteran’s reaction was instantaneous. His breath hitched, loud enough for Elise to notice. He stared at the screen with a look so raw and unguarded that Elise instinctively covered the phone, confused and alarmed by the sudden shift.