We agreed that her counsel and mine would coordinate document requests without treating the dispute as an excuse for threats or public spectacle.

That evening I found Frank sitting at the kitchen table, rubbing the scar on his forearm.

“I’m sorry this is bringing everything back,” I said.

He smiled sadly.

“Some things never stopped being with me, Brooke.

I just didn’t know they could help somebody now.”

PART 14

There was a period when nothing dramatic happened.