He paused a step into the main living area of the flat. Dot stood in front of the door. Overcoat on, hat pinned in place, handbag looped over her arm. And rosary beads clutched between gloved knuckles. Watching her lips move, he could tell where she was in the prayer. When Jesus is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. Her lips paused for half a beat, and her fingers moved to the next bead. After the feast of the Passover, Mary and Joseph unknowingly set out for Nazareth without Jesus. . . .

He held his place while she finished, not wanting to disturb her. Were it anyone else, he might have thought she’d forgotten to say her prayers earlier and wanted to squeeze them in before she left home. But not Dot. Dot waited to say them until she was standing there before the door. She waited until she most needed the strength the familiar words imparted. Mary keeps all these things in her heart.

She drew in a deep breath, tucked the beads into her pocket, and lifted her chin. Her hand shook as she lifted it to the door’s latch, but she gripped it anyway.

His throat went tight. Margot was right. His sister was strong. Courageous. Every day she left this flat, she had to put on her armor like a knight errant and make herself slay the dragon of the world outside that door.

She was strong. She was courageous. But it never took away the fear. “Have a good day, Dot.” His voice came out quiet, barely audible in the room.

She didn’t look back at him. If she did, it would ruin her routine and she might not reach for the door again, he knew. It had happened before. But she nodded, pulled the door open, and stepped out without a word.

Drake sighed and continued his shuffle toward her small kitchen. He prayed that, eventually, routine would make it easier. And he was proud that she did it even when it was difficult.

As usual, a small pot of bland porridge sat on the stove for him. In days past, he’d reheated it whenever he managed to pull his aching body from bed. Today it was still warm, and he had only to spoon it into his bowl.