The office Derek chose was in a small commercial building about twenty minutes outside Columbus.

I wore the necklace Lily had made for me at school: bright beads, one plastic star, and a knot that she had insisted I not replace.

I had put it on because she asked.

On the drive, I held the star between two fingers until Rachel reminded me I did not need to be calm to follow the plan.

“You can be frightened and still leave when we decide to leave,” she said.

I nodded.