I had a hard time separating what Brandi was doing now from what she had allowed to happen before.

She had skipped appointments back when our marriage was young, lied about small bills, and covered up gambling losses with jokes about getting lucky next time.

I had looked past those habits because she could also be warm, funny, and generous.

None of those good traits had kept Finn safe.

One night Gloria called after visiting Brandi at the treatment center.

She said her daughter was finally listening instead of blaming everyone else.