It was difficult to accept an incomplete outcome.

But rebuilding our household could not wait for every institution to finish its work.

Maya and I began searching for a permanent home, one that hadn’t been associated with the worst days of her life.

She chose a modest place with a bright kitchen and a small garden.

Neither of us cared about marble countertops.

We cared that the heating worked, the windows opened, and the front door belonged to us.

PART 20
We moved in late August.