t at the diner done, another few dollars closer to Lily' s next round of medication. My seven-yea

eyes still lit up when she listened to th

voice thin, "when I get better, can I lear

t was her dream. A simple dream

ys, the things insurance didn't cover. My husband, Mark, Lily' s father, owned a local hardware store. Or at least, he c

e. A supplier issue. Or Brenda Hayes needed him. Brenda, the widow of his c

r that used violin I saw at the corner music shop. A little

hop door jingled. Mr. Hend

u. Here for that littl

rson. I finally

real sorry. A fella came in this morning. Bou

nk. "All of

riend's boy. Liam, I think.

. Mark. For Liam

le. "He paid top dollar too. Sai

While Lily fou

, my voice barely a whisper, "th

I found it later, out back in the alley. S

ike Lily' s smal