Overwhelmed, I stepped forward and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, his gratitude palpable.

“Do you still have the scarf?” I asked, managing a shaky laugh.

He grinned. “I do. It’s in my drawer at home. I’ll never part with it.”

 

That night, after he left, I sat in the living room with Ben, sharing the story. He listened, his hand wrapped around mine.

“You gave him a second chance,” Ben said softly.