Epilogue: Bankie Reunion

At some point, M broke down and told me I could wash her bankie, and regretted it the moment the lid on the washer came down, making its forbidding banging sound.

Between bursts of distress and wanting to sit in my lap during dinner (which I said no to), M settled for gripping my hand.

And when they were finally reunited, it was like seeing two longtime friends seeing each other for the first time in decades, the absolute happiness radiating from M's face.