I wasn’t sure how I felt about Justin’s plans to stay. I was happy that I had someone I considered real family with me. I just didn’t know if the complications—and there would be complications— would be worth it.

I stared at the closed door for a long time and thought about what it meant to be family. If what Leslie told me about his was true, the people living in his home were very special to him and loyal. They accepted me, and although I hadn’t had much chance to get to know them yet, none...