The Last Thing He Told Me

Hannah recalls her initial move to Sausalito and the effort she took to ease the transition for Bailey from having her father to herself to sharing him and their home with Hannah. She explains, “Still, I did everything I could to not disturb the balance. Her balance. Even in the way that I moved into the house, I tried to keep the peace” (47).

The only place in the house Hannah decorated was the front porch, which is where Grady Bradford, US Marshal, surprises her as she’s taking out the trash. Bradford offers Hannah a cup of coffee exactly the way she likes it, based on information he got at the neighborhood coffee shop, and asks her to take a walk with him. As they walk, Bradford questions Hannah about any contact with Owen, and Hannah debates whether to be truthful with Bradford. He also questions why Hannah is not angry with Owen for leaving her to care for Bailey, to which Hannah replies by asking Bradford if he is married. When he says he is not, she replies, “Well, if you were, you’d understand that I’m more worried about my husband than anything else” (52).

Bradford presses Hannah, assuring her that he only wants to protect Owen and encouraging Hannah to get a lawyer.