I wanted to run back and tell you. Your ma did have an adventure—a proper one that made her heart sing for a time even if it couldn’t make her heart strong. Along the way, she did see Africa—in the back of a truck, in the eyes of the giraffes, down the road going west—and she was as daring and brave as could be. I ached for you to know. The War had made me an honorable man, though, if it did nothing else. I was asked to leave you alone, so I did. You being their daughter, I had no rights in the matter, despite my deep feelings for Red. Truth is, I’m not sure what your ma was to me, even now.
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