I unfolded the note with shaking fingers. “Dear Mr. Mulligan,” it read. “I am Theo. I am sorry about the noise. My grandma is Dolores. She sang at the Starlighters with you. She forgets almost everything now, but when I play the beat from her old record, she hums.” My throat tightened. I looked at the window, and the old woman raised one hand in a shaky wave.

The note continued on the back. “This morning I did not play, because I got your letters. I did not want to bother you. But Grandma cried when it was quiet. Mr. Mulligan, can you come over? She keeps asking for someone called Frankie.” I stood on the porch holding the page, and something old cracked in my chest. I went inside, opened my hall closet, and reached for a black case.