For once, the noise of a family gathering did not remind him only of what he had lost.

It reminded him of what remained possible.

PART 24
The Seat Beside the Window

Several weeks later Nathaniel returned to the diner alone after visiting a job site.

He sat at the same table and watched Teresa explain the menu to an elderly customer who had misplaced his glasses.

Outside, traffic moved under a low gray sky.

Life went on without announcing its important moments.

He thought about the old belief that money could solve almost any problem.