Chapter 7: Ashes Summary

On her sixty-seventh birthday, the memories of watching Robert drive away haunted Francesca. Her love for him was stronger than ever. She sat at the kitchen table where they had eaten and drank. She lit two candles and found soft music on the radio, recalling every detail of their first night together. While Richard was still alive, she never returned Robert's letter. She subscribed to the National Geographic and saw the article on the covered bridges which he also wrote. His name appeared in the back of the magazine with the list of contributors. She was able to see him grow older from the photos of him they featured in the magazine once in a while. Once there was a photo of Robert in a faraway place, standing near a creek with his shirt off. She noticed there was a medallion...