Patricia ignored Rebecca completely, keeping her blue eyes fixed on my face while her hand went straight back to her pearl earring.

“Hannah, darling, you look so exhausted,” Patricia said loudly, raising her voice just enough to draw the attention of three airline employees standing by the baggage counter.

“We know how hard this military deployment has been on your emotional health.”

“Don’t talk to me about my health,” I said.

“We were only trying to help you,” Patricia said, taking another small step forward and holding out her hands like a mother calming a confused toddler.

“A judge will understand that a mother who’s away for months can’t possibly keep a stable home for a four-year-old girl.”