Chapter 1: The Man on the Bench
Chapter 1: The Man on the Bench
Emma's breath caught in her throat.
The old man stood up.
Fully.
Strongly.
As if the frail figure on the bench had vanished.
The suited man beside him looked relieved.
"Mr. Whitaker, the board members are waiting. The vote starts in forty minutes."
The old man nodded but didn't move.
Emma blinked.
"You're... not homeless?"
A sad smile crossed his face.
"No."
The answer only made her more confused.
"Then why were you sitting here?"
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Finally, Mr. Whitaker looked toward the schoolyard.
Toward the children.
Toward the parents rushing by.
Then back to Emma.
"Because I wanted to know something."
"What?"
His eyes softened.
"Whether people still see each other."
The answer sounded strange.
Adult.
Complicated.
But somehow Emma understood.
At least a little.
"You were testing people?"
The old man laughed quietly.
May you like
"Not exactly."
But his silence said otherwise.
