He placed the bag on a nearby chair and faced me.
“Ms. Harper, I am sorry,” he said. “You taught our son for six months while I was traveling for work, and he came home every week saying you were the first teacher who made him feel brave enough to read out loud.”
Everyone was still watching, but their attention had shifted to Miranda.
Her lips parted.
No words came.
Paul continued looking at me, and I understood what a kindness that was.
“I am sorry your day was interrupted,” he said.
I swallowed and drew Daisy closer to my side.
“We came here because my sister earned a happy day,” I said. “I will not let her remember it like this.”
Daisy pressed her face against me.
Paul glanced down at her and noticed the outline of her head beneath the swim cap and how thin her arms were.
