Over time, Caleb helped Marcus find temporary work, a room, and eventually a steady job.

When Buddy became ill, Caleb even took the dog to a veterinarian.

Marcus summed it up simply.

“He treated us like we mattered.”

Diane looked down.

“That sounds like my son.”

Marcus smiled.

“He talked about you all the time.”

Diane looked up sharply.

“He did?”

“More than you might think.”

---

The Things Caleb Never Said

Diane sat down.

For three years, she had carried the same question inside her.

Not just why did Caleb die?

But also:

Was my son happy?

She had never asked anyone that question aloud.

Perhaps she had been afraid of the answer.

Caleb had died suddenly.

There had been no long goodbye.

No final conversation.

No chance for Diane to ask whether he had regrets.

Now she was sitting inside a stranger’s home, surrounded by photographs of a part of Caleb’s life she had never known.