The second week brought an unexpected problem at my business.

Brenda had handled some household scheduling while I ran job sites, and she knew several of my customers.

A contractor called to ask whether I had been arrested.

“Where did you hear that?” I asked.

“Someone told my office there was trouble with your daughter and police at your house.”

I could have launched into the entire story.

Instead, I told him that Hailey had been injured, the authorities were investigating, and I had done nothing to put customers or employees at risk.

Then I asked him to send me the message he’d received.