Lillian asked for temporary guardianship of me because she believed he wouldn’t return.

He took you across state lines before anyone could reach him.”

I remembered the packed truck.

My father had said the roads were washed out and we had to go immediately.

“The court gave Lillian custody,” Evelyn said.

“Then she died suddenly the next spring.

I went into foster care, with a new surname.

By the time I was old enough to search for you, Father had changed his name twice.”