“You can't fix grief,” said Simon. “A rabbi told me that when my father died. The only thing that fixes grief is time, and the love of the people who care about you, and Tavvy has that.” He squeezed Mark's shoulder briefly. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “Shelo ted'u od tza'ar, Mark Blackthorn.”

“What does that mean?” said Mark.

“It's a blessing,” said Simon. “Something else the rabbi taught me. ‘Let it be that you should know no further sorrow.”