But she still decided to pull over onto the shoulder, that stretch of dirt and gravel alongside the asphalt. That was the decision that saved our lives. Because inside that purse was something that would change everything I thought I knew about my own family.

We had spent three days in the city, Carol and I, two older sisters taking advantage of a trip to handle banking matters, visit doctors, and enjoy the small urban luxuries we didn’t have back home. The return journey was always more relaxed.