“Don’t make promises that depend on your mood tonight.

If you mean to help, do it in a way they can count on, and let the mother choose.”

Nathaniel called the inn and asked that a message be left for Hannah: if she wanted, Ruth could introduce her to a housing counselor that afternoon.

He offered no demand for a meeting, no request for gratitude.

Hannah phoned an hour later.

Her first words were an apology for bothering him.