4. Protection

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Shortly before he died, I told him I was moving to London.

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He said, I won’t see you often then.

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His wife asked questions about practical arrangements. 
He was annoyed.

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For the first time, I saw him dismiss her, 
saying her questions were frivolous 
and that I had other things to worry about.

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For the first time, he protected me.
It meant more than I can say 
because there was just enough time for it to have happened.

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It was redemption.