Several weeks later, Helen called.

Connor had offered her the watch at last.

She had refused.

“I don’t want an expensive object carrying this much sadness,” she said.

“I told him to sell it and contribute the proceeds to something that actually helps people.”

He donated the net proceeds to a local vocational scholarship fund and sent her the receipt.

She told me because she thought I might appreciate knowing the story had ended without anyone wearing the watch as a trophy.

I did appreciate it.