tried to answer and couldn’t manage more than holding on tighter.
Over her shoulder, I saw Renee cover her mouth with both hands. I looked away from her. There were things I still needed to say to my wife, things that wouldn’t be easy to forgive tonight. But none of that belonged in this particular moment between me and Cassidy.
When we finally stepped back, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. I did the same with mine.
“Were you happy?” I asked. “Growing up, I mean.”
“I was. My parents are genuinely good people. I got a good life.”
“Good,” I said, and had to swallow hard before I could keep talking. “That’s good to hear.”
She glanced toward the hallway. “I should probably give you two some space.”
Twenty-six years of birthdays I never knew to remember. School photos I never got to see. Questions I never got
