We need somewhere to sleep tonight.”

I followed them out into the corridor.

She was standing near the service doors in a black apron, and the six years between us collapsed in a single breath.

“Employees can’t keep children in the storage room after closing,” the supervisor was saying.

“They only need somewhere warm until morning.

My check clears in the morning.”

“That isn’t my problem, Kelsey.”

Then she looked up and saw me.