Real life offered documents, imperfect accountability, and a future that still needed living.

After the hearing, I asked Lena to take me to the lake.

We sat on a bench near the water, watching ducks move through the reeds.

“Do you feel different?” she asked.

I thought about it.

“I feel less afraid of tomorrow.”

She took my hand.

We stayed until the light changed and the breeze grew cool.