‘That’s allowed too.’

‘Okay,’ he said, and wandered off to find the blocks.

I stood there for several minutes, holding a carrot over the cutting board.

I loved the idea of being their father.

But I was learning that love should not demand a title from a child still finding his footing.

Two days later, Nora asked why Sophie’s rabbit was missing an ear.

Lucas told her it had always been that way.