“Mrs.

Miller.

Are you able to take care of this child?”

“She has a room, Your Honor.

It’s freshly painted and the bed is made up.”

“Then she’s yours.

Full emergency custody, guardianship to be entered after the review, and a caseworker at your door Thursday at two.”

I heard the word permanent and laid my hand flat on the rail, because for a second the floor turned soft beneath me.