But afterward I thought of all the years Kyle had insisted there was no reason for me to maintain separate savings.

I had mistaken dependency for security because the person offering it called himself my protector.

At the end of each shift I collected Miles and carried him home.

He usually greeted me with a solemn expression that turned into a gummy smile once he recognized my voice.

Those greetings became the best part of my day.

Nothing extraordinary happened.

No dramatic court order appeared.

Sandra did not suddenly become kind.