I couldn’t promise him nothing would ever change.

I could promise him that grown-up money problems were grown-up problems, not a debt an eight-year-old had to pay off by staying quiet.

On Wednesday, Finn asked if his mom was allowed to come home.

I explained the temporary court order to him.

I told him grown-ups were making decisions about visits in a place where people were supposed to listen closely and keep kids safe.

He looked relieved and sad all at once.