Emma chose the yellow curtains as soon as she saw her room.

She set her drawing kit on the desk and stood by the window, watching the neighbor’s porch light blink on.

“Is this really for me?” she asked.

“It is, for as long as you’re staying here.”

She looked disappointed by the careful phrase, and I wished I could promise what a judge had not yet decided.

Instead, I opened the desk drawer and showed her the blank notebooks I’d bought.

I pointed out where the spare blankets were kept.