36. Surrounded by Secrets

The trip to Portland was a resounding success. Hans and I shared all the delights of honeymooners without the honeymoon. We wanted to take a side trip to Mount Hood and stay at the new Timberline Lodge, but the roads were too icy and the lodge had closed for the duration of the war, so we made do with a hike in Washington Park.

The trip did Ephraim a world of good. He drank less after that, as I recall, and he took to writing Bella every few weeks. She was there when he needed her then…and lat...