Now I was grateful I’d listened.

I walked through the house I’d helped pay for.

Manuel, my father, had given us money for the first office and later helped with the down payment when we finally bought this place.

He’d never asked for a share of our happiness.

He’d only asked us to be careful with what we’d built.

In the kitchen, I found a note from Mark saying he’d be home late.

His handwriting was hurried.