Necessary household communication would use the approved intermediary once those conditions were active.

There would be no private negotiation about bringing Mia home.

“He’ll say I make everything difficult,” she said.

“He may,” the worker answered.

“That doesn’t change the plan.”

“I have thirty dollars until Friday.”

“Then we need a food arrangement that doesn’t depend on accepting his visit.”

Her mother laughed once without humor, then gave the actual amount and the shifts she would miss.