It was Andrew.
They stared at each other in silence for a long moment. Andrew had clearly seen the address too late. His face turned a sickly grey.
Dave took the pizza box and handed him a twenty-dollar bill.
— Keep the change.
Andrew stood there, unable to move. His hands were trembling.
Dave added, as he started to close the door:
— Use it to buy some self-respect. Though I doubt it’s enough.
The door clicked shut. The pizza was hot.
Later, he told Sarah about the encounter. He kept it simple, no drama. She was silent for a moment, looking out at the city lights, and then she said:
— I don’t feel sorry for him.
And she meant it.
Linda had to sell her own condo to cover the legal fees and settlements. She moved into a small apartment on the edge of town and took up tutoring for a few dollars an hour.
Vince got probation and community service. The judge took his cooperation into account, but his career was over. He ended up working security at the same mall where Sarah had once stood with a cardboard sign.
Nick got his $5,000 back through a small-claims suit Bill helped him file, then he moved out of state.
And little Nathan grew up knowing nothing of that dark time. He was a happy kid with a bright future. And that, Dave thought as he watched his grandson play, was the only victory that mattered.
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