My hands shook so hard that I set the slip on the table. I did remember a boy who lingered by my classroom door one rainy afternoon, and I remembered that I had been late for a dentist appointment and told him to come back tomorrow. I had forgotten him. He had not. Then my phone rang, and a deep voice said, “Mrs. Fielding? It is Marcus.”

“I hope you do not mind that I called,” he said. “I did come back the next day, and you were gone. Substitute teacher. You had retired early that spring because of your mother’s illness.” I held the phone with both hands. “I want to ask you something, and I need you to say yes before you hear why.” I closed my eyes and braced myself.