Chapter 42

Clara helped David clean up the wound on his face, then the three headed back home together. After all, Raymond Walters had already said David could return to work whenever he felt like it. With the issue bugging him finally sorted out, David looked like a weight had been lifted—his mood was visibly better. "Clara, Nicholas, really appreciate what you both did today!" he said cheerfully. "Keep it up, David," Nicholas grinned. "You're doing great!" Nancy eyed the injury on David's face with concern, and Clara briefly filled her in on what had happened. But even after the explanation, Nancy still wiped at her eyes when no one was looking. "Clara, David's really been through hell," she murmured. "He got into college but couldn't go—all because of us. Later, he had to go work construction just to make ends meet. Every night he'd come home battered and bruised..." As she talked about the past, the pain in Nancy's voice was clear. She couldn't hold back the sorrow. "Mom, things are different