to her now—fit, successful, and twenty years removed from the boy she had rescued.
“Wait,” I managed to say. “Would you like some water? Or a moment to dry off? You look exhausted.”
She shook her head quickly, a flash of anxiety crossing her face.
“I can’t, thank you. I’m behind on my shift, and my brother is waiting at home. I’m his only caregiver now, and I can’t afford to be late.”
She hurried away before I could respond.
From my window, I watched her climb into a rusted
