My mother sat on the edge of the Meridian stage.
I was beside her.
Five years old.
Missing a front tooth.
I knew the yellow sweater I was wearing because Mom had kept it until I was fourteen.
Eleanor Voss sat on my other side.
Mara was sprawled on the floor.
Teenage Harlan stood several feet behind us holding a broom and looking annoyed about it.
A laugh escaped me.
“You had terrible hair.”
Harlan looked offended.
“I was sixteen.”
“That is not a defense.”
Mara came closer.
“Oh, I remember that haircut.”
“Everyone can stop.”
For one precious second, the room felt ordinary.
Then I opened the folder.
The first page contained legal language I barely understood.
The second was easier.
MERIDIAN COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT.
Eleanor Voss — Founding Trustee.
June Callaway — Founding Trustee.
I looked up.
“What is this?”
Harlan’s expression became careful.
“A governance agreement.”
“For what?”
