Includes bibliographical references (pages 695-696).

In grief support groups, women and men gain strength by sharing their stories with others who have felt the same pain. For baker Sage Singer, mourning the death of her mother, that sharing brought not only healing; but also an unexpected friend. Josef Weber is everyone's favorite retired teacher and Little League coach. One day, he asks Sage for a favor. He wants her to kill him, and he tells his story to explain why. Sage then wonders, could he be right? Could he deserve to die? Can someone who's committed a truly heinous act ever redeem themselves with good behavior? And if Sage even considers his request, is it murder, or justice?