I asked Edward about the lunches, and his answer surprised me almost as much as his hidden career. He explained that he hadn’t been throwing away all the food. Instead, he regularly gave the sandwiches and apples to a construction worker named Terry, who worked near the corner where Jamie had seen him. Edward had continued accepting the lunch because he appreciated the gesture, even though he no longer needed to eat at a construction site. The handwritten notes, however, were different. He had kept many of them in his office.

He opened a drawer and showed me a collection of cards, including several written by Jamie when he was still learning his letters. I recognized every message. Some were folded, others slightly worn, but they had all been carefully preserved. My anger softened for a moment, although the deception still hurt. I realized he had treasured the love behind those lunches while hiding the truth about his own life.