Some conversations were strained.

Others were unexpectedly funny.

We talked about Lily’s fascination with astronomy and Owen’s new baseball team.

We talked, cautiously, about her separation and the hard work of rebuilding a life that did not look the way she’d planned.

At the third lunch, she surprised me by putting her phone facedown before speaking.

“I thought if Dad walked you down the aisle, everyone would see how much happier you were than me,” she said.

“I know how ridiculous that sounds.”