I kept my response brief and sent it through Miriam.

Emma’s relationship with her parents, she explained, was something professionals would evaluate with her interests first.

Neither adult should pressure her for loyalty or forgiveness.

One night Emma asked if she would have to give her father a hug if she saw him again.

I told her no one should force her to offer affection.

Another night she said she missed the funny way he used to sing while frying eggs.

We talked about that too.