A tear splashed down her cheek and her mouth opened in a soundless scream. Chris mounted the steps to the porch and put his arms around her. She fought him for a moment, then relented and clung to him. "Why?"

Chris shrugged. "That is the question no one can answer. Right now, though, Nelson's death means you and the boys don't need to face the future alone."

He looked down and saw the two boys framed by the screen door. Their mother's sobs had tears brimming in their eyes. "Who are you, mister?"

Chris gave them as brave a smile as he could muster, but then words failed him.

"He is a friend." Dorete shifted within his aims and looked at her sons. "Your grandfather sent him. He's taking us home."