Lauren insisted on keeping her business independent and on having access to decisions about the boys rather than receiving grand favors after they’d already been made.

I accepted.

The first payment wasn’t a surprise check accompanied by a camera.

It was simply the beginning of doing a share of what should never have been hers alone.

I learned to ask before showing up.

I learned not to introduce myself as Dad to strangers until the boys were comfortable.

I learned that a child who asks the same question five times might not need a new answer; he may be testing whether the answer will stay the same.

When Henry asked whether I would come next Thursday, I said I would if his mother agreed.