“I answered the questions,” I said.

He glanced at the sleeping carrier.

“I do love her.”

“I hope you learn how to show it without controlling me.”

His eyes narrowed, but he did not follow when Lauren and I walked away.

The temporary order gave me enough stability to rent a small townhouse close to Hazel’s pediatrician.

I did not rush to move into a mansion or buy a new car.

I bought a high chair from a secondhand shop and assembled it on the living-room floor while Monica held the screws.