A Stranger Left an Envelope Beside My Bed on My Sixty-Second Birthday—Then I Found His Photograph with My Son

She asked whether family pressure was making the decision for me.

I considered it before answering.

“I am thinking of the children.

His children, and Brenda’s too.

But I am also thinking of myself.

I want to stop waking up with this as the only thing in my life.”

“Then we will keep the records.

You don’t have to destroy them to step back.”