Hannah’s life in Saint Paul was smaller than the home we had shared, but it was not the impoverished existence I had feared or secretly imagined.

She rented the upper floor of a duplex near a park, worked part-time designing planting plans for schools, and helped run the greenhouse, which employed people rebuilding their lives after unemployment or illness.

Her friend June Morales had stayed with her during the difficult months after the twins were born.

June had brought meals, taken turns at the neonatal unit, and helped Hannah find a reliable used car.

I met June at a planning meeting and extended my hand.