She found me by the door and handed me a folded note.

It said: You taught me that a future is not something someone can give away or take away completely.

It is something I can build, even when I have to start over.

Thank you for not giving up on me.

I read it once, then again, blinking through tears.

“You never had to earn my support,” I told her.

“I know,” she said.

“That’s why I wanted to say thank you.”