When I first met Oscar, he was five years old and clinging to his mother’s hand like she was the only safe thing left in the world. His eyes were wide, wary — the kind of eyes that had already seen too much uncertainty for a child his age. His mother, Lauren, had just lost her husband — or rather, he’d left her to face the storm alone. Rick disappeared the moment Lauren’s health began to falter. He didn’t even say goodbye. I wasn’t looking to replace anyone. I just wanted to help. But somewhere along the way, helping became...
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