The first night, Hazel refused to sleep until I placed her familiar yellow blanket beside the crib.

When she finally settled, I sat on the carpet looking at the scattered packaging.

The place was unfamiliar, but nothing in it required anyone else’s approval.

I did not feel triumphant.

I felt tired and hopeful, and for that night it was enough.

PART 13

Wayne called on a cold Friday morning to tell me that the workers had received their first scheduled payments under the restructuring plan.

Not every invoice was resolved.