"My Marcus has passed," she said, with old fondness and the taste of memories in the words. "And my daughter and I have not spoken since her wedding," she admitted. "I was not a very present parent, I'm afraid." It was what it was, and there was no changing it, her tone said. "I am trying to do a better job with my granddaughter, but she is distrusting, which I do not blame her for. She grew up without knowing me, and now I wish to be part of her life unexpectedly."
She smiled at Mika, and she took a sip of her cocoa. "Why did your family choose to move, if I might ask? If the life you live here is so similar to the one lived there?"