“I used to imagine what I’d say to Patricia if I ever saw her again,” Lauren told me.

“I had a whole speech planned.

But now I mostly want Mason to keep having ordinary days.

I don’t want our anger to become the center of his life.”

“Neither do I.”

“That doesn’t mean she gets to meet him tomorrow.”

“Absolutely not.”

She gave me a searching look, perhaps expecting to find the man who would have insisted his mother meant well and that everyone should simply move on.