She drove back at dawn, not because she wanted to, but because the steering wheel turned itself toward the house whenever she tried to leave town. The new family’s minivan was already in the driveway, balloons tied to the porch. A pregnant woman waved cheerfully. Sarah parked, heart hammering. The front door stood open. Inside, the young couple and their three kids were laughing in the foyer, admiring the same exposed plaster Mike had started. On the mantel sat a fresh Polaroid: the new family of five, plus Sarah standing right behind them, smiling with eyes like black candles. The pregnant mom turned and said brightly, “The realtor said the previous owner left this for us. Isn’t it sweet?” She handed Sarah the photo. On the back, in red ink still wet: WE SAVED YOU A SEAT, MOMMY.