I told them about Mr.

Dorsey, the grant application, and how Mrs.

Avery had taught me that asking for help could be an ordinary part of being human rather than proof that I had failed.

Then Lily stopped on a bridge and said, “Mom, do you ever think about what would have happened if you’d kept the money?”

“Of course.

We might have ridden the bus home and had bread that night.”

“And Walter?”