By the end of the conversation, Seattle had become more concrete and less symbolic.

It was a city with work to consider and practical arrangements to make, not a reward for surviving my father.

That was the version of the opportunity I could choose honestly.

We sought clarification from the firm on the items that mattered to us.

Adrian’s professional advisers handled the terms where their expertise was needed; I asked my own questions about the parts affecting my work and our shared life.

A strong offer was still an offer.