Lloyd insists I have dinner with them. What possesses me to agree, I do not know, but before I know it, it’s dark outside.

After helping Vera put Henry to bed, I sigh, reluctant to leave yet unable to stay. Today has been the best and worst I’ve had in a while – though the best outweighs the rest by far. I feel closer to Vera than I have in almost a year and I fear losing that re-discovered connection.

Vera does too. I can tell by how she frets as I pull on my coat.

“You shouldn’t walk alone…”