"Did you call the police?"
She shook her head.
"Not yet."
"Good."
Then he looked at Noah.
"Come with me."
Noah didn't move.
"Where?"
"Somewhere we can talk."
Noah followed him.
They walked into a private office.
Edward closed the door.
For the first time, they were alone.
Noah sat across from him.
Edward looked at him.
"You look like Michael."
Noah smiled slightly.
"People used to say that."
"Your eyes."
"What about them?"
"Exactly like his."
Noah looked away.
"Tell me about him."
Edward smiled.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
So Edward began.
He told Noah about their childhood.
About fishing trips.
About their mother's cooking.
About the first watch their father ever gave them.
About the day Michael left home.
About the letters Edward wrote but never sent.
About the phone calls he made but never completed.
About the years he spent wondering whether his brother was alive.
Noah listened.
Then he asked,
"Why didn't you search for him?"
Edward's face fell.
"I did."
"What?"
"I searched."
"When?"
"For years."
Noah stared.
"My father changed his last name."
Edward nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To disappear."
Noah understood.
His father had been running from his past.
Edward continued.
"I eventually found him."
"When?"
"Two years before he died."
Noah's eyes widened.
"You knew where he was?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you contact him?"
Edward looked devastated.
"I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"That he wouldn't forgive me."
Noah shook his head.
"My father waited his whole life for someone from his family to find him."
Edward closed his eyes.
"I know."
"You should have gone."
"I know."
Noah's voice became emotional.
"He died believing nobody cared."
Edward covered his face.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered,
"I'm sorry."
Noah looked at him.
He wanted to be angry.
He was angry.
But he also saw an old man who had spent decades carrying regret.
Finally, Noah said,
"He loved this watch."
Edward smiled.
"He loved your mother."
Noah looked at the watch.
"She gave it to him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she knew he would need something to remind him who he was."
Noah held the watch tightly.
"What should I do with it?"
Edward looked at him.
"Keep it."
"I always planned to."
"Good."
Then Edward reached into his jacket.
He removed a small envelope.
"I have something for you."
Noah opened it.
Inside was an old photograph.
Two boys stood beside a woman.
The younger boy was Michael.
The older boy was Edward.
Noah stared.
"My father."
Edward nodded.
Noah touched the photograph.
He had never seen his father that young.
He smiled.
Then tears appeared in his eyes.
Edward said quietly,
"Your father wasn't poor because he had no money."