PART 3   I stared at the hospital bracelet in the lunchbox until the letters of my own name blurred.

me.

Kindness without boundaries can become a cage.

“I know,” I said.

He nodded.

“But I’m not leaving you behind without a plan.”

His eyes filled.

“I don’t deserve a plan.”

“That’s not how plans work.”

The next morning, I called shelters, veterans’ offices, housing programs, churches, nonprofits. I was transferred, placed on hold, disconnected, and told to continue reading …