2 A.M. at a Roadside Gas Station, a Little Boy Wrapped His Arms Around a Stranger’s Leg and Whispered, “Dad… You Finally Came Back.”

Porter asked Meredith to take Toby into the hallway.

Then she turned to Graham.

“I don’t know your full story,” she said, “but this is the most alert and engaged I have seen Toby since his father passed.”

Graham shifted uncomfortably.

“I’m only passing through.”

“Are you?”

He looked toward the hallway, where Toby was showing Meredith the sticker the nurse continue reading …