The old man bent back down to Lila.
The restaurant noise seemed far away now, like it belonged to another world.
He gently brushed the messy hair from her face.
âYouâre eating first,â he said.
Lila stared at him, still unsure whether she could trust what was happening.
Then she asked quietly, âYou believe me?â
He gave her a small, broken smile.
âI donât just believe you,â he said. âI remember her.â
Something softened in the girlâs face.
It was the look of a child who had been holding her breath for too long and finally found a reason to let go.
âThen youâll come?â she asked.
He nodded.
âYes.â
No conditions.
No delay.
No second thought.
