Almost five years passed in this way. I grew accustomed to life in Lewiston and the townspeople, for the most part, grew accustomed to seeing me. Even folks who had given me a frowning second glance after we’d first moved to town now nodded, or at worst, ignored me. Despite the aunties’ worried looks every time I left the house, my routine felt safe and predictable. 

         Once a week, I turned west on Center Street, the main road through town, and walked two blocks to the storefront public library, a place that felt more like my church than the chapel at St. Stephen’s. I had...

Please subscribe to keep reading.