I looked at Sophie.
She was sobbing openly now.
“When she is old enough to understand family, she will bring him to you.”
Arthur paused.
Then read the final line.
“He is my last gift to you.”
His voice cracked.
“Love him for me.”
I stood.
The entire stadium blurred.
I moved down the bleacher steps.
People made room without being asked.
Sophie turned.
Reached one hand toward me.
But I was looking at Arthur.
Mr. Arthur Hale.
The janitor.
The man who used to nod at me every morning when I was seventeen.
The man I had seen at Sophie’s parent nights.
The man who had spent decades standing only a few feet away from my life.
“IS IT TRUE?”
I reached the field.
Stopped directly in front of him.
“Is it true?”
Arthur nodded once.
Tears streamed down his face.
“I never wanted to take anything from you.”
