I wanted to be present for him rather than making an archive of what I’d missed.

The following week, my supervisor offered me extra overtime to help coordinate a difficult delivery schedule.

Six months earlier I would have accepted instantly, pleased to be seen as dependable.

The shift fell on Saturday afternoon, and I already had plans with Mason.

“I can cover Friday evening or Sunday morning,” I told him.

“I have a family commitment Saturday.”

He checked the roster.