Her school was holding another ceremony, and students were allowed to invite someone who had helped them learn an important lesson.

“I want you to come,” she said.

“What lesson did I help you learn?”

“That grown-ups can change.”

He sat down in his office chair, which had moved with him into a much smaller workspace overlooking a street instead of the harbor.

“Sophie, I think you taught me that.”

“Then we both get credit.”

He laughed.