steadier, and shaped by years of building a life from nothing. Charlotte had no reason to connect me to the boy I used to be.

But it still hurt.

“Would you like some water?” I finally asked. “You look exhausted.”

She shook her head.

“I can’t. My brother is waiting. He’s not well. I’m his only caregiver.”

“Only caregiver?”

“After our mom passed, it’s just me.” She forced a tired smile. “Goodnight, sir.”

She hurried back through the rain. From the window, I watched her reach an old rusted Mustang