The room remained untouched for weeks. But finally it was time.

“Want some help with Grandma’s things?” Before April could reply, her teenage daughter had dipped into the top drawer. “Cool undies!” Michelle held up the wispy red scanties. “Was Grannie a swinger?”

“No, no, no. She was very modest. I’m sure she never wore those.”

“If they’re new, can I have them?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Let me think about it.”

“Oooh, look at this!” Michelle held up the gleaming blue cylinder. “Hey, it still works!” A soft buzz filled the small bedroom. “Can you believe it?”

“Michelle, turn that off and put it down. Maybe it would be better if I finished up.”

“Why, Mom? This stuff is neat. Grandma was neat. It’s not like she was on drugs. Hey, there’s something under here.”

Before April could react, Michelle had peeled back the drawer’s liner and pulled out a manila envelope.

“Give me that,” April said, snatching the oversized envelope from her daughter’s hand. “I’m sorry, honey, I just...”

“Aren’t you going to open it? What do you think it contains?”

April bit her lip. “Probably nothing. Just old papers. Deeds.”

“I bet it’s photographs. Open it. Come on, Mom, I want to see.”

“It might be private,” April said. “Some things...”

“Do you think it’s pictures of Grandma naked? Of her and Grandpa? Doing it?”

“Oh, Michelle.”

“Why else would she have it hidden like that?”

“What if these were very private pictures of you? Would you want your grandchildren to see them?”

Michelle’s eyes locked on her mother’s. She bit her lower lip. A moment later she nodded. “Yes.”

Heart trembling, April peeled back the envelope’s flap.