Angelika rose from the table and began stacking the dinner plates without being asked.
Arianne watched her, then stood to help. The two of them moved between the table and the kitchen in a pattern that had the ease of people who had worked alongside each other before: Angelika carrying, Arianne directing, neither of them speaking much.
At the sink, Angelika ran the water and began rinsing. Arianne leaned against the counter beside her.
"I'd like to speak to the twins," Angelika said. She kept her eyes on the dishes. "If you'll let me."
Arianne didn't answer immediately. "What would you say?"
"That I'm sorry. That what I said to them was wrong. That I was angry and grieving and I took it out on two children who had done nothing to deserve it." Angelika set a plate down. "I know it doesn't fix anything. But I've been carrying it for a long time. I'd like to put it down."
Arianne considered her. "All right. After the kitchen."
