Alvarez from next door brought over a casserole and stayed to wash the dishes.

She had known me since I was small enough to need a stool to reach the sink.

“I heard about the moving truck,” she said carefully.

I nodded.

“Samuel told me he was worried they’d show up.”

“He told you too?”

“He asked if I could keep an eye on the driveway while you were at the hospital.”

I pictured Grandpa lying in bed, still trying to protect me while dealing with his own illness.