The Children Who Might Have Been

Tova’s imagined descendants, Erik’s restored keepsake, and Cameron’s arrival transform a life organized around an absent family into one with new generations.

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Toys Saved for Grandchildren

An Unused Attic A Mother’s Hope Tova stores Erik’s childhood toys because her mother expects that one day there will be grandchildren. A Future Suspended After Erik disappears, the toys remain packed away, preserving a family future that never arrives.

Envy for Another Family

A Grandchild Imagined Tatum’s Pregnancy When the Knit-Wits discuss Mary Ann’s pregnant granddaughter, Tova privately imagines Erik becoming a father. A Grief Revealed Her envy is not resentment of Tatum but grief for a future that might have given Tova grandchildren.

The House Prepared for Children

A Family Moves In The Buyers’ Children Tova imagines the Texas family using her attic as a playroom and filling the house with children. Letting the House Go The vision helps her accept that her home can support a new family even if it no longer belongs to hers.

A Secret Restored Horse

Erik’s Hidden Kindness The Floorboard Compartment Cameron finds a repaired Dala horse hidden beneath a floorboard in Erik’s old bedroom. A Grandson Sees His Father The discovery gives Cameron a small, intimate sign of the young father he never met and gives Tova a memory she had missed.

A Family Table Refilled

New Generations Gather A Table Set for Company Tova and Cameron share Thanksgiving with Ethan, while plans form for Brad, Elizabeth, and baby Henry to visit. The Family Tree Continues The people around the table are not the future Tova once pictured, but they give her family life again.

After Tova and Will return to the family house

Several years before the present-day story

Late summer, after the buyers make an offer

The morning Cameron returns to Tova’s house

Thanksgiving, one month after the revelation