" Oliver considered. "I don't know."
"Well, I do," Francesca said. "You're staying right here." She extended
a long arm and pointed over his shoulder. Oliver turned and saw the
bronze heart on a shelf, leaning against the wall. He could feel his
thumb stroking the letters.
"O plus F," Francesca said softly.
"O plus F," he repeated, turning back.
He looked into her eyes--patient and amused, mysterious, the color of
the inner heart of black walnut--and knew that he was home.
EPILOGUE
Eight years later, at this writing:
Emma speaks schoolgirl Spanish and has a half brother named Kenso.
Maria and Elena are blooming.
Oliver, Francesca, and the children go to Hawaii or to Kamakura every
other year. It has been five years since they moved back to Maine. They
are often seen walking on Crescent Beach, early Sunday mornings.
Jennifer is married to Bogdolf.
Jacky married a lawyer and has a stepson. They live in Maryland.
Richard O'Grady is just the same.
Mark is richer, and George is more appreciated.
Conor lives in North Carolina.
Arlen left the CPA firm. He owns and runs a bakery with Porter.
Suzanne married Harley and moved to Vermont.
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