The following morning, Emma awoke to a pale sunrise and a renewed sense of determination. She needed a plan. Her first call was to her old college roommate, Sarah, who lived a few towns over. They hadn’t spoken in years, but Emma remembered Sarah’s warmth and open-heartedness. As she dialed the number, a small part of her braced for rejection.

“Emma? Is that you?” Sarah’s voice was a balm to her frayed nerves, and when Emma explained her situation, Sarah didn’t hesitate. “Come stay with me,” she offered. “We’ll figure this out together.”