The elderly man smiled. “Young man’s been a godsend. Drives me to appointments, helps me with my walker. Real gentleman.”
“Is that right?” I looked at Connor.
“I like it,” Connor said quietly. “The volunteering. It makes me feel… like I’m doing something that matters.”
“Good.”
“And Ms. Martinez? I got accepted to Columbia Business School. I start in the fall.”
“Congratulations.”
“I’m going to study healthcare administration. I want to work in accessibility services. Make sure buildings and programs are actually accessible to everyone.”
I raised my eyebrows. “That’s a big change from whatever you were planning before.”
“Before, I was just… existing. Doing what my parents expected. Now I have a purpose.” He paused. “You gave me that. By not destroying me. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank the people at Riverside who showed you what really matters.”
“I do. Every day.”
Mr. Patterson patted Connor’s arm. “Shall we head in? Don’t want to be late.”
“Of course.” Connor looked at me one more time. “Take care, Ms. Martinez.”
“You too, Connor.”
I watched them walk into the hospital. Connor adjusting his pace to match Mr. Patterson’s slow shuffle.
My phone buzzed. Text from my colleague.