Ailene

 James found her when she was four—alone in the alley, silent, and holding herself together with a kind of bravery no child should need. He kept her as long as his health allowed, long enough to feed her, warm her, and show her what gentleness felt like. When his strength failed, he carried her to the hospital and placed her in the care of the nuns, leaving a piece of himself behind with her.Maran...