Kids at birthdays. School pictures. Holidays. Smiles frozen in time.
“Your family?” I asked.
Arthur stood by the window, looking out.
“Are you coming in or not?
“I have three kids,” he muttered. “They stopped coming.”
That was all he gave me, but it told me enough.
***
After that, I understood Arthur a little better.
And I didn’t stop bringing the food.
If anything, I showed up more.
Seven years went by like that.
Neighbors called me crazy.
Maybe I was.
“They stopped coming.
***
Then, last Tuesday came.
Arthur’s porch light wasn’t turned on as usual.
I noticed right away. When he didn’t answer my knock, I tried the handle. It was unlocked.
