“Mrs.

Morales, my name is Mr.

Vance,” the attorney said, his words measured and polite.

“I represent your mother in her administrative affairs.”

“I know who you are,” Mariana said.

“We’re hoping to make sure this painful family misunderstanding stays a strictly private matter,” Mr.

Vance said smoothly.

“State agencies often complicate simple domestic miscommunications with unnecessary bureaucracy.”