The promise was small enough to keep.

At the county office, the current contact sheet was reviewed again.

Derek remained outside Mia’s household and care, with no direct contact under the active order.

Necessary matters continued through the approved office.

The mother asked whether that changed if he asked her to arrange something herself.

“No,” the worker said.

She wrote the next date in her own calendar.

“There isn’t a day when I decide we’re finished?”