The next review would need facts, not promises made in a hallway.

That evening, I checked the next appointment time, returned Ruth’s necessary message, and put the papers away before supper.

The current order remained in force.

Its original and the evidence were preserved.

The unanswered questions remained with the professionals responsible for pursuing them.

I could not make every future day safe by looking at the file one more time.

I could follow the conditions, attend the appointments, keep the information accurate, and notice when Lily needed something from me.

On Friday, what she needed was a pencil sharpener.