She did not feel angry that Andrew had waited so long.

She felt sad that he had thought asking was a kind of failure.

When she went into his room, she told him, “The next step is not one you have to take alone.”

PART 15

A few days later, Ashley was well enough to leave the hospital.

She did not go straight home.

Child welfare staff arranged a temporary stay with Aunt Helen, who remained nearby and agreed to follow the care plan.

June helped make the transition less frightening by packing Buddy, the drawing supplies, and the storybook Ashley had chosen at bedtime.