She looked at me steadily, and what she said next was not a plea.

It was a specification, delivered by a woman who had learned exactly what my promises had been worth before.

“I don’t need your money or your alimony, Alexander.

What I need is this.

If you say you’ll be at a pediatrician appointment at three, I need you standing in that waiting room at three.

If he keeps us up all night, I need you answering your phone.

And if you make him a promise, I need you to keep it.