Hassan knew He knew I’d seen everything in that alley, that I’d stood there and donenothing. He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybefor the last time. I loved him in that moment, loved him more than I’d ever lovedanyone, and I wanted to tell them all that I was the snake in the grass, the monster inthe lake.

Hassan knew He knew I’d seen everything in that alley, that I’d stood there and done nothing. He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time. I loved him in that moment, loved him more than I’d ever loved anyone, and I wanted to tell them all that I was the snake in the grass, the monster in the lake.

I thought about you all the time. I used to pray that you’d live to be a hundred years old. I didn’t know. I didn’t know that you were ashamed of me.

I was glad I didn't have to return his gaze. Did he know I knew? And if he knew, then what would I see if I did look in his eyes? Blame? Indignation? Or, God forbid, what I feared most: guileless devotion?

He knew I betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time.