Now Liam led the way, holding at least a half dozen new sleeping bags, while she and Maggie followed, carrying boxes of supplies. They’d spent the morning putting together gallon-size ziplock bags filled with shampoo, soap, and other hygienic items that the homeless sometimes didn’t have access to. Maggie’s contribution was pocket-size crossword puzzle books and pencils. She said they needed something to fire up their brains.

“I think they’re already here,” Liam said. “I see some people gathered around a portable table under the trees.”

Quinn could see people, too, but couldn’t make out anyone in detail. Her heart raced, but she told herself that she could get through it. She was grateful for the cap Maggie loaned her. She’d pulled it low over her face and added a pair of sunglasses in an attempt to disguise herself as much as possible.

It was brutally hot, and the sand was burning the sides of her feet where it touched, but Quinn was glad to be doing something to help the community her brother was a part of, even if she didn’t identify herself. Quinn had thought about it all night and had come to the conclusion that Noah and Jules must’ve begun their work because of their son, as a way to reach him, or to at least let him know they still cared for his well-being. And who knows, maybe that was the only way they would ever get to see him.

They were fewer than thirty feet away now, and Quinn was afraid to look up. She took deep breaths in through her nose and out of her mouth. One foot in front of the other.

“I’ll talk first. Noah will probably remember me,” Liam said.

“Of course,” Quinn said. She thought that was a given. She sure wasn’t going to be the one to initiate a conversation.

Liam had asked around and found out that Noah and Jules had a fairly routine schedule. Ironically, today was the day they’d visit the people who camped out on the same beach where Carmen had found Quinn so many years before.

“It was meant to be,” said Maggie.

Quinn agreed but she still felt light-headed. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies. Were they from anticipation? Dread? She really didn’t know.

She also didn’t know what she’d say to the man and woman who had given her life, who had loved her dearly and then lost her.

Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad . . . It’s me, Nama. I’m back . . .

Yeah, that wasn’t going to work.

So she might not say anything.

Both Liam and Maggie had agreed that first they’d help hand out the gifts. If she felt it wasn’t the right time and wanted to leave, then she would shrink into the background, and they’d give out the donations so they could all leave quietly.

“Quinn,” Maggie said softly. “Stop for a second.”