We called the store manager, a woman named Mrs.

Flores, whom I remembered from that afternoon.

She said the supermarket kept security recordings only for a limited period, but an incident report existed because Grant had blocked the aisle and management had intervened.

With Joan’s advice, I requested a copy of that report rather than trying to extract private footage from the store.

The report included my words to Vincent and my refusal of Grant’s money.

It was small, almost embarrassingly ordinary evidence, but seeing my own voice described accurately made me feel steadier.