He saw me, froze, and took a step in my direction, but I returned to my book and ignored him completely. I finished my cappuccino, left a generous tip, and walked into the warm afternoon feeling nothing at all.

That evening I stood on the balcony of my condo, looking at the city lights, and whispered, “Thank you, Grandpa Theodore, for seeing what I could not.” I went to bed peacefully, knowing that every day ahead belonged to me, and that was the richest feeling of all.