She signed.

And it was, of every document in a life full of momentous ones, the only signature that ever made her cry.

That October, Meridian launched the first satellites of the rural-connectivity constellation — the project that had nearly cost Ifeoma her company, now approved without a single vote against.

On the night of the launch, Emeka drove his old pickup to an overlook in the Blue Hills, Winnie bundled in a wool blanket in the truck bed, Ifeoma leaning against his shoulder, all three of them watching the sky.

“There,” Ifeoma whispered, pointing.

A tiny, steady point of light tracked across the stars.