She gets that from her mother. Grace looked at him. You've said that twice. Because it's true. She nodded slowly.
I can tell. Rain clouds were beginning to gather again. James looked up. You'll come back with me. Grace shook her head.
I can't. Why not? Because one night becomes two, and then three. I know how these stories end. James frowned.
I don't. They end with people getting tired of me. The words came out quietly. Almost as if she had lived them too many times. James leaned forward.
I wouldn't have come looking for you if I was already tired. Grace looked away before he could see her eyes. At that moment, a black SUV rolled slowly past the bench. Neither James nor Grace paid much attention. The vehicle continued another 20 yards before stopping.
Its brake lights glowed red. Grace's expression changed instantly. Her shoulders stiffened. Her breathing became shallow. She lowered her head.
Don't look back. She whispered. James turned toward her. What is it? Please.
Her voice was barely audible. Just don't. The SUV remained parked. Its dark windows revealed nothing. A few seconds later, it drove away.
Grace didn't move until it disappeared around the corner. James noticed her hands were shaking. Do you know them? She stood abruptly. I have to go.
She grabbed her backpack. James stepped in front of her. Grace. She wouldn't look at him. Talk to me.
I can't. Are they dangerous? Silence. Are they looking for you? More silence.
Then she finally whispered. They're looking for someone. James frowned. Someone? Grace slowly met his eyes.
The woman I used to be. Before James could ask another question, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the growing crowd. He stood there watching until he couldn't see her anymore. That night, after dinner, Mila noticed he was unusually quiet. Dad?
Hm? Did you find Grace today? James looked at his daughter. Yeah. Is she okay?
He hesitated. I don't think she wants anyone to find her. Mila thought about that for a moment. Then she asked the one question James couldn't answer. What if the people looking for her aren't trying to help her?
Mila's question stayed with James all night. What if the people looking for her aren't trying to help her? The next morning he made up his mind. After dropping Mila off at school, he drove straight back downtown. The same bench.
Empty. He checked the bakery. The owner shook his head. Haven't seen her today. James thanked him and kept walking.
An hour later he spotted Walter sitting alone beneath the bus shelter. The old man recognized him immediately. You're looking for Grace. James nodded. Do you know where she is?
Walter pointed toward an old church at the end of the street. She goes there when she wants to disappear. Walter walked the rest of the way. The church doors were open. Inside only a handful of people sat quietly.
Near the last row, Grace sat alone staring at the stained glass windows. She noticed him but didn't seem surprised. You found me. James sat beside her. I've been looking everywhere.
I know. You know? She smiled faintly. Walter worries too much. For a moment neither of them spoke.
Finally James asked, "Who was in that SUV?" Grace kept her eyes forward. I told you they were looking for the woman you used to be. I wasn't asking about the woman. He looked at her. I was asking about you.
Grace closed her eyes. They work for my company. James blinked. Your company? She nodded once.
I disappeared six months ago. James frowned. I don't understand. I know. She reached into her backpack.
For the first time she opened the small inside pocket. She pulled out a worn leather wallet. Inside was a faded identification card. She handed it to him. James looked down.
His eyes widened. The photograph showed Grace, clean, confident, wearing a tailored business suit. Beneath the photo was her full name, Grace Ashford. The name meant nothing to him. He looked back at her.
I've never heard of I know. She gently took the card back. I liked it that way. James waited. Grace took a slow breath.
My family built one of the largest technology companies in the world. James stared at her. I inherited it after my father died. You mean Yes. The company those people work for belongs to me.
James struggled to process what he had just heard. If that's true, he looked at her torn clothes. Why are you here? Grace's smile disappeared. Because the people closest to me stopped seeing me as a person.
She looked toward the church doors. To them I was a signature, a title, a fortune, nothing else. So I walked away. James shook his head slowly. You walked away from billions?
I walked away from lies. The words hung between them. You could have gone anywhere, James said. Why the streets? I wanted to know something.
What? If anyone would help me. She paused. Without knowing my name. James looked down.
And? She smiled sadly. Most people looked through me. The lucky ones ignored me. The unlucky ones recognized me.