It turned out to be a very long ride, actually, so Michael felt very guilty about Sophia taking him. He made sure to tell her so, and apologize, too.
Sophia, friendly as always, brushed off his concern. “Not even! I had nothing to do today, don’t worry about it. Go be with your family.”
Michael prompted a hug right there in the car. “I can’t thank you enough, Sophie, thank you so much.”
She hugged him with one arm. Then, he unhanded her and left her to readjust her glasses.
Sophia drove away, and Michael sought to return to his family, even if it took the rest of the day or even two days. Luckily, his father was quick to find a flight for him, and later that evening, Michael was arriving home.
Seeing Matthew and John choked him up beyond any expectation he had had. Their teary brown
