Instead, she asked practical questions: how much the repair estimate was, whether the house was insured, and which benefit programs I might qualify for.

She gave me a list of community resources and suggested a separate conversation with the trustee if emergency support for Harper could be permitted under the trust terms once established.

I left with a notebook full of small tasks.

They were not glamorous tasks, but they belonged to me.

I could accomplish them one at a time.

PART 8

Our first visit to Natalie and Brandon outside the hospital took place in a public park, not at their family’s estate.

I chose the park because Harper already knew the playground, the duck pond, and the little stand that sold pretzels.