I used the week to ask questions I should have asked months earlier.
I spoke with a family attorney in Bellwether, a woman named Joan Mercer who explained the difference between temporary kinship care and legal guardianship. She told us guardianship would let us make decisions about school, health care, and where Noah lived, but it would not erase his parents from his life.
"It's not adoption," she said. "And it's not a guarantee that no one will challenge you."
The retainer was more than we'd planned to spend. We had enough in savings to cover it, but it meant postponing the kitchen repairs we'd been saving for.
At home, Evan listened while I explained the appointment.
"I'm not asking you to pay for everything," I said.
"That's not the problem."
"Then what is?"
He looked toward th
