“It’s a very predictable habit.”

The game ended in a two-to-two tie, and parents started folding up their canvas lawn chairs along the fence.

Claire walked down the gravel path from the parking lot, wearing an ivory trench coat and silver hoop earrings that caught the pale sunlight.

“Look at you two,” Claire said, stopping beside Max.

“Co-parenting in the wild.”

She reached out and patted Max’s shoulder.

Max picked up his canvas chair and pulled the black strap over his shoulder.