The old man’s face transformed. His mouth curved into a wide smile that made my chest ache.

“Thank you,” he cried, louder this time, voice trembling. “Thank you! I’ll eat tonight. I’ll sleep warm. God bless you!”

Tears stung my eyes.

He didn’t even know what I had written.

“Adam, Alice—time to head back!” I called.

They gathered their chestnuts and ran toward me, cheeks flushed with laughter. I took their hands, gave one last glance at the man, and started walking.

“Ma’am!” the blind man suddenly called. “Ma’am!”

I stopped.

“I recognized your voice,” he said softly. “You rewrote my sign, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I answered.