ded. He looked from Mom' s distr

calm but serious. "This is a

uldn't tell him why, not yet. He wouldn't believe the truth

t usually selfish or cold. Perhaps my uncharacteristic fi

m. "Linda, if Sarah feels this strongly,

rs welling in her eyes. "Bu

pening Dad had given me. "We can offer financial support. Signif

ada. My estranged brother. They haven't spoken to our s

s monthly payment for taking Jessica in. Enough t

ly. "It's a pra

initially very reluctant. She complained about

amount we were prepar

gh to ease any financia

changed rema

For family, I suppose we could make some room.

ected at my parents, went rigid. Her eyes, when they met mine, were no longer te

primary target – our comfort

esent for the discussion, agreed it was a vi

ents were made. Jessica woul

spend one night in a temporary foster home

me, a small, forced

aid, her voice syrupy swe

omised somethin

ite the immediate vic