Please, Mom. Maybe some people really just wanted to be kind.”
“They scared us.”
“I know. I don’t like it either.”
“Eli, they turned your dad’s umbrella into a town project.”
Eli looked at the blue umbrella tucked beneath my arm. “Maybe Dad would’ve liked that part.”
I wanted to disagree, but no words came.
Eli shook his head. “No. I want to see why people came.”
I studied his face. “A few boxes.”
He gave me a small smile.
Box #2 held a note from Mr. Collins, Eli’s bus driver.
“Carina,
Nobody gave out your address. I need you to know that first.
People brought umbrellas and notes to the Route 47 stop after Jenelle’s post went around. Some left envelopes at the bus depot or gave them to me.
I should have called before bringing them here. I thought I was doing something beautiful for a
