She was here, making her own small claim on the world, and he was already discussing a family in which she mattered less.

“I won’t bargain away either child’s rights,” I said.

“Returning your check doesn’t mean you stop being responsible for support.

And I won’t agree to plans that treat one as the child worth visiting.”

Dana explained that the court would determine the legal issues if we could not reach appropriate arrangements.

Nothing would be settled by him choosing a bassinet and announcing that the child belonged with him.

Garrett spotted the Beacon reference copy among the papers Dana had separated.