"We lost a few friends, and this time of year, I think, is difficult. He misses his family," Oliver clarified. She didn't ask, but she didn't need to. While there would always be aspects of his life that he would keep mostly to himself, Therese was a friend, and he wanted to be honest with her.

"They were very close." With a wry smile, he added, "Unlike mine."

And unlike her own, as far as he'd been able to gather.