One of my twin daughters passed away three years ago, but on her first day of first grade, her teacher remarked, “Both of your daughters are excellent students.”

of the hall was finishing up. Seats dragging. Snack bags zipping closed. The typical mess and the energetic sound of young children being freed from their focus.

Mrs. Hayes walked inside before me and gestured toward the desks near the glass.

“Right there she sits, Hope’s lookalike.”

I stared.

A little girl rested at the distant desk, pushing a coloring continue reading …