“I’m the one who might need help with fractions.”

She laughed.

“I’ll teach you.”

I leaned toward her and whispered, “Only if you promise not to give me too much homework.”

PART 19

The following spring, the charity organization hosted another fundraiser.

Claudia asked whether I would return, this time as a volunteer helping with the children’s reading program.

My first instinct was to say no.