Not just striking — psychologists, free legal advice, and workshops on recognizing financial control, isolation, threats, and family manipulation.

They were calling it Root Force.

When I resigned, the program director tried to keep me.

“I can give you head coordinator and a real raise.”

“I’m not running from anything here, boss,” I told him. “I’m just moving forward.”

Jimmy drove me to the bus station. Just before I boarded, Patrick came sprinting up the platform out of breath, carrying a paper bag: bottled water, chips, a sandwich wrapped in napkins, and a slightly bruised red apple.