A teen girl tried to steal a book from our store

her, the way she broke down, the story she told, the grief in her voice that felt too raw to be a lie.

And then I tell her about the hug.

About the brooch.

About the words: It’ll save you.

By the time I finish, the woman is silent, her hands clasped tightly together as if she is holding onto something invisible.

“That was her,” she says finally.

A chill continue reading …