That evening, Sadie asked whether we could have pancakes before Sunday.

“Why?”

“Because I like them today.”

It was a persuasive argument.

I made pancakes for supper, and she ate the middles first.

I thought of Leo and smiled before I could stop myself.

PART 8 — A Place at the Table

Our first meeting at my house was arranged with Leo’s caseworker and Denise.