At last, the car slowed down, turning down a gravel driveway toward the entrance. I watched as elegantly dressed people walked out through the huge front door, heading straight for us.

Other black cars slowly parked behind us, and our car stood out among them. The closer the palace workers got to our car, the more nervous I became.

No matter how long it took Dennis to handle what he needed to do, this was going to be my new home. I had this feeling that once I ...