When I Was Four, My Mother Left Me Alone in a Church—Twenty Years Later She Returned Crying, “We Need You”

She left it open.

A nightlight glowed in the hallway.

I woke six times.

Florence was still there every time.

PART 3 — SHE DID NOT PROMISE FOREVER

That may have been why I trusted her.

Florence did not say:

“I’ll never leave you.”

Adults had already taught me promises could become dangerous.

Instead she said: