The question was right there, easy to put in a child’s mouth and hard to take back once I heard whatever answer he gave.

Denise’s reminder kept me silent.

He was not responsible for explaining the man I had married.

After a little while, Denise arranged for Leo to continue playing while we spoke privately nearby.

He knew where she was and could come to her.

We did not close him out of his own home to conduct a discussion he had caused merely by existing.

“As his father?” I asked her when I finally said the question.