“And sometimes,” he answered, “they have to learn that they can walk through without apologizing.”

We listened to the clock for a while.

Then he asked if Eli was coming the next day.

When I said yes, his face brightened.

He had promised the boy a story about a horse that found its way home.

PART 15

The following spring, Clarence spent several days in hospital after a respiratory illness.

Rebecca visited every afternoon she could, bringing the children only when staff advised it was appropriate.