“What was it?”
“The new wheelchairs existed.”
“Then where did they go?”
Rebecca was silent for several seconds.
When she spoke again, the mystery grew larger.
“They were donated.”
“To whom?”
“That’s what we’ve been trying to find out.”
“And?”
“I found one.”
I waited.
“Sarah,” she said, “one of the chairs purchased under Maya Ortiz’s grant number was delivered eighteen months before Maya ever applied for assistance.”
“That makes no sense.”
“I know.”
“Who received it?”
Rebecca took a breath.
“A boy named Lucas Vance.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
Vance.
Julian looked up.
“Mom?”
I whispered, “Who is Lucas?”
Rebecca answered.
“I was hoping you could tell me.”
Part 4 — The Other Vance
There are names that belong to strangers until someone places them beside your own.
Then they become questions.
Lucas Vance.
I repeated it several times after the call ended.
Julian searched my face.
