My mother-in-law said she didn’t care about my 9-year-old daughter, and my husband agreed. Then he called me stupid and said I would sign whatever they needed.

room to another as if it were a palace.

“This one can be my art room and bedroom,” she announced.

“It has to be both?” Claire asked, grinning.

“Yes,” Lily said seriously. “Artists sleep near their work.”

That night, we ate takeout lo mein on the floor because the table had not arrived yet. Lily fell asleep on a mattress with her rabbit under one arm and continue reading …