Clara's academic event had gotten recognition. A major business publication had written about it, praising her vision and execution. She'd been approached by three different companies asking if she'd help organize similar events.
She called Austin first.
"I got offered a consulting job," she said. "Because of the event. They want me to work with them while I'm finishing school. Austin, this is happening because you showed up that night. You believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."
"That's all you," Austin said. "I just introduced you to someone. You did the actual work."
"But you showed me it mattered," Clara said. "You showed me that what I was doing had value. That's worth something."
Later that week, Austin attended the second academic event. Clara had organized it even more meticulously than the first. And Victoria Chen wasn't there—apparently, she'd transferred schools.
After it was over, Clara hugged him tightly.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?" Austin asked.
"For being the kind of brother who shows up," Clara said. "For being proud of me. For making me feel like I matter."
Austin held her, and he thought about the months he had left, and how many of them he might not get to see her graduate, or start her career, or become the powerful woman she was going to be.