“Oh, Sarah.” I sit next to her and wrap my arms around her. “I don’t blame you for being upset. This has changed a lot for you, too.”

“I know. It’s just … It’s not fair. I’m glad you’re here, but it’s just not fair.”

No, it’s not.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter

THIRTY-SIX

“Come in! Come in!” Paula brightly greets a young woman in a navy suit on Monday morning.

I stand uncomfortably near the door in a floral dress that Paula had insisted she buy on Friday and that I wear now to meet the social worker.

Ms. Martinez gives me a warm smile as we’re introduced. I feel my nerves creep up. I have zero power over what’s happening to me, but this woman does.

“How are you doing?” Ms. Martinez asks me.

“I’m good,” I reply flatly.

Paula laughs nervously. “Would you like another tour of the house?”

“Another?” I ask.

Ms. Martinez turns to me. “I came here before you were allowed to move in.”

But I came right from Wisconsin with Paula and Craig; when did she come?

Ms. Martinez can sense my confusion. “I was here the day before your mother and Mr. McMullen flew to get you.” She turns to Paula. “I’d like to speak to Amanda alone.” Ms. Martinez gives Paula a tight smile. There’s something in her smile, a don’t-challenge-me look that brings my hopes up.

“Of course, of course,” Paula says as she gestures for us to sit down on the couch. “I’ll go upstairs to give you some privacy.”

Ms. Martinez studies the staircase that leads to the second floor, which looks over the living room. “We’ll be in the kitchen.”

I follow her into the kitchen, where we sit down at the counter as Paula heads upstairs. Ms. Martinez opens her briefcase and pulls out over a dozen manila file folders. She scans them until she selects one and then crams the rest back in.

All the hope I had felt simmers out. I’m one of many. When you come from a small town, you’re used to having people look out for you. But for Ms. Martinez, I’m simply another case number.

“How are things going here?” she asks as she flips open the file and starts jotting down notes before I even speak.

“Fine.”

“Are you adjusting to your new family well?”

“I am, but—”

Ms. Martinez cuts me off and continues checking off items on her list. “And it says you’re going to start school tomorrow?”