The divorce settlement gave us security that many single parents never have, and I refused to pretend otherwise.

But money did not answer the questions I faced at two in the morning when June developed a fever, or at the preschool doorway when she clung to my leg.

Nora, her husband Daniel, and my neighbor Mrs.

Alvarez became the people we could call without an explanation.

Daniel taught June how to build towers from cardboard.

Mrs.

Alvarez supplied soup during flu season and disapproved of my inability to keep basil alive.

Sometimes, after June fell asleep, I searched the internet for Warren’s name.