“The foundation is not a lender for our family.”

“From your own money, then.”

“No.”

She looked at me as though the second answer proved the first had been an excuse.

It proved only that I could make a boundary without inventing an inability to choose.

I left with Ruth.

Outside, reporters were waiting because the settlement had attracted public attention.

I gave the statement agreed with counsel: the case had resolved, the charitable commitment was eighteen point seven million dollars, and the funds would support the foundation’s child-safety purposes.