I have been given three grades by my daughter in six months and I have passed two.

Chapter 15 — Chattanooga

The protective order runs until Phoebe is eighteen. There is a provision in Tennessee, as in most places, for a minor of sufficient age and maturity to be heard by the court on questions of contact.

Phoebe asked about it in January.

She did not ask me for permission. She asked Ronald — deliberately, I think, because Ronald answers questions like a lawyer and I answer them like her mother — and Ronald told her the truth, and then Ronald called me, and I said several things I regret.

“She’s twelve, Ronald.”

“She’s twelve and she asked a direct question about her own legal situation and I am not going to lie to a child to make your week easier.”