I did not hate her.

I also could not offer her access to my wife and child in exchange for feeling better about our shared childhood.

When I returned home, Maya asked whether I regretted going.

“No,” I said.

“But I don’t want the case to become the center of our lives.”
She took Liam from his play mat and kissed his forehead.

“Then let’s make sure it doesn’t.”
We made plans to visit a botanical garden that weekend.

Maya wanted to sketch the greenhouse.