The warmth of Linda's words still hung palpably in the air as Sophia and Victor emerged from the farmhouse onto the path that would take them back to town. Behind them, the world was bathed in shades of pink and orange-the sun had begun to set. It had been a surprisingly emotional day: to meet someone so fundamental to Victor's life, to hear snippets of his past, which had always been subtly suggested.
As they drove along in the comfortable silence, she found herself glancing over at him. He kept his attention on the road, but there was a peace to him now, as though spending time with Linda had released some weight he always carried around in his life. She wondered how many times he had come to see his aunt as he grew up, how often Linda had been his refuge when things at home were too mu
