Chapter 6

Nolan arrived at the supervised visitation center twenty minutes early. He carried a new art set, a stuffed fox, and a folder containing the explanation he had practiced all night. The room had pale walls, two cameras, and a shelf of toys cleaned so often that the plastic smelled sharp. Ms. Chen, the court-approved supervisor, sat near the door with a tablet. When Ivy entered with Reese, Nolan stood too quickly. Ivy stopped. The purple backpack was strapped across both shoulders. Her fingers...