“You’re the one who ended it.” And slowly, over months of clean ocean air and returning strength, I have come to believe her.

I did not cause the years of harm.

But I did cross the fence.

I did listen.

I did, in the end, come home.

And a man does not get to save everyone from everything — but he does, if he is patient and if he loves enough, sometimes get to be the one who finally makes it stop.

That is the peace I have made.

It is enough.