Mr. Armstrong stood and reached for Nolan's hand, pulling him up. He put his arms around him and hugged him tight. "Son, everything will work out. Give me your cellphone number and I'll inform you what I find out."

Mr. Armstrong called Nolan that afternoon and informed him that the water and electricity would be turned on the following day. Unfortunately, the temperature was to be in the teens that evening. Mr. Armstrong offered to put them up in a hotel room, at his expense, but Nolan assured him that wasn't necessary. He also told him that his father was eligible for food stamps and, perhaps, other aide. He just...