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For Hazel, the ensuing few months were a blur of activity. The childcare manager interview process was unexpectedly nerve-racking, but Hazel was hired because of her strong vision for the facility and Ms. Evans' good reference.

Early on, it was a baptism by fire. Remodeled into a community center, the center was alive with the exuberance of small children and the focused work of the construction crew who were wrapping up the finishing touches. Hazel was overburdened with the task of organizing lessons, scheduling meetings with contractors, and juggling Liam's constant demands.

In unexpected ways, Christian—who was always the dependable friend in a beat-up truck, rather than the knight in shining armor—stepped up. He volunteered his evenings to assist with the mural painting, transforming the formerly empty space into a vibrant jungle picture. He even proposed to watch Liam on infrequent playdates, providing Hazel with much-needed respites.

One evening, Liam curled up on Hazel's lap as