The Photograph of a Newborn in a Yellow Knitted Hat

“I need to know whose name is on the real birth record,” I said.

“I need to know why Paul paid her.”

Arthur picked up his pen again and tapped the brass tip against the manila envelope.

“Keep one thing clear before you write that check,” he said.

“If a woman raises a child for eleven years, family court looks at attachment before blood,” he said.

“If you try to put her in prison, the state puts that girl in a county shelter until the trial is over.”

“Run the check,” I said.