He looked through the window at the bare branches and told me that the apartment housing program had found for him was near a bus route.

He could reach the bicycle shop without crossing a highway or walking beside the river.

“I’ve been sleeping all night,” he said, sounding faintly astonished.

“I’m glad.”

“I never meant to draw the boys into my problems.”

I folded a napkin, considering how to answer.

I respected the man who had helped so many families.

I was still angry that he had allowed two boys to become involved around an unsafe structure.