I agreed to a simple book, provided there would be no message criticizing me or asking Hazel to take sides.

The book arrived wrapped in plain paper, with a short note wishing her a happy first birthday.

I held it for a long time before placing it on the nursery shelf.

I did not know what sort of grandmother Brenda might become.

I knew she could not purchase that role with an apology or a gift.

Brandon’s circumstances changed more abruptly.

The company entered a supervised restructuring process and he lost authority over its accounts.