I hadn’t known how much that promise would matter.

PART 8

The first week in Columbus was harder than I expected.

I was warm and fed.

No one shouted when I asked for things.

Still, a door slamming somewhere in the neighborhood made me jump, and every time Colleen ran an errand I found myself listening for a car that never returned.

She arranged follow-up medical visits and spoke with school administrators about keeping me current on assignments while my placement was reviewed.

I started counseling with a therapist named Dr.