We were not asking for the same thing.

Later, Mara met me in the church parking lot.

Noah was at home with her household arrangements, away from our conversation.

She gave me a second reachable number in case the usual line did not connect promptly.

It was a family contact number, not a substitute for emergency services when those were needed.

“You already have the regular one.

Keep this too.”

“I don’t want an argument about it.”