I Walked My Neighbor’s Daughter to School Every Morning — One Day, My Life Turned Upside Down Because of It

Her grandmother answered — a frail woman with shaking hands and tired eyes.

She looked at me holding her granddaughter’s hand, and for a moment, I thought she might slam the door in my face.

Marissa gave her a pleading look. “Can he, Grandma? Please?”

The old woman studied me for a long moment.

Then she nodded slowly.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

At school, Marissa didn’t let go of me once. Not during breakfast, during the games, or when other kids ran ahead.

She stayed beside me, her hand in mine, like she was anchoring herself to something solid.

“This is my angel man,” she told anyone who asked.

I met her grandmother again that afternoon when I brought her home.

She was sitting in a worn recliner near the window, oxygen tubes in her nose.

“Thank you,” she said again. “I can’t do much these days.”

When it was time to leave, the girl hugged me tight.

“When are you coming back?” she asked.

“I… don’t know.”

It was too much, all at once. I told myself I wouldn’t return as I headed home, but I did.

The next morning.

And the next.

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