I wanted to return to work I enjoyed rather than constantly reshaping my schedule around everyone else.

A local accounting firm had been looking for someone with my background.

I applied and accepted a part-time position with flexible hours.

On my first morning, I placed a photograph of Selena beside my computer and felt an old, familiar pleasure when the numbers lined up.

Gavin asked whether the job was another way of punishing him.

“No,” I said.

“It’s a way of working.”