When the Eight-Year-Old Boy We Were Adopting Came Home With Everything He Owned in a Black Bag—Then My Missing Brother’s Watch Fell Onto His Bed

Oliver’s property.

That distinction became important when I wanted to put it in the safe.

At eight, he agreed because the watch made him anxious.

At fourteen, he wanted it back.

So back it went.

Parents often confuse:

valuable

with: