“The legal part is,” I said.

“Now we bring Benji home.”

We went down the broad granite steps toward the parking lot, where cold autumn sun was finally breaking through the gray clouds.

Officer Vance walked us to the car with his leather clipboard tucked under his arm.

“The CPS caseworker will be at your house at three o’clock Friday for the final guardian review,” Vance said, opening the driver’s door for me.

“She only needs to sign off on the home safety inspection.”