Returning to work was not optional. Medical bills and daily expenses had steadily worn down our savings, and most evenings ended with me reviewing numbers at the kitchen table after Lucy fell asleep. She was perceptive in the way children sometimes are, aware of my sadness even when I tried to hide it. One cold winter morning, after a restless night, we stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few essentials. As we were loading the car, Lucy noticed a man sitting at the edge of the parking lot, bundled against the cold, with a small dog resting quietly at his side. Without hesitation, she approached, drawn to the gentle animal who watched her with calm, trusting eyes. Continue reading…
