I nearly dialed 911 on the tattooed teenager holding a screaming baby inside an empty 1 AM laundromat. Then his bag tore open, and my stomach sank with utter shame.

without making you choose.”

I gripped the edge of the sink.

For a long moment, I could not speak.

Then I said, “That is also a good answer.”

Rachel laughed softly.

“I learned from very strict people.”

“Good,” I said. “We were expensive.”

She laughed harder.

Then her face grew serious.

“I can never give Jackson back those two years.”

“No,” I said.

“I can never continue reading …