Marcus drew a deep breath.

“Ten years ago, I wasn’t on the streets. I had a home, a career, a family…”

The room stirred. People shifted. Interest peaked.

“I was a cardiac surgeon at St. Jude’s Medical Center in Dallas. I had a wife and a little girl, Emma.”

My mouth went dry. He’d never mentioned a daughter.

“One stormy night, while I was on call, my wife Claudia drove to pick Emma up from a birthday party. A drunk driver ran a red light. My wife died instantly. Emma was left in a coma.”

He swallowed hard. His voice cracked. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes. The audience was silent, some whispering prayers.