I think I can manage.”

I watched him cross the room and take the handles from the young volunteer.

He moved slowly but steadily toward the door.

For an instant I saw two generations occupying the same small act of kindness, neither needing to understand exactly what it meant.

Elise joined me and slipped her arm through mine.

“Do you ever wonder what you’d have done if you hadn’t stopped that first Sunday?” she asked.

“Sometimes.”