Beatrice had nothing ready for that answer.

I left without entering the study.

A few days later, she came to my driveway after seeing coverage of the settlement.

Ruth was with me when we arrived.

She offered to remain close, and I accepted.

I did not need to prove a boundary was sincere by handling the encounter alone.

Beatrice stepped out of her SUV and began speaking before I reached the porch.

“The bank is proceeding against the office building.