When we reached the pond, Quinn laughed at a duck shaking water from its wings.

Piper startled, then laughed because her sister had.

I recorded ten seconds of their joy.

It was small and unremarkable to anyone else.

For me, it was proof that happiness could return without waiting for Brandon to change.

PART 15

The joint-account investigation clarified some of the disputed spending.

Certain charges were plainly personal purchases during Brandon’s time at sea.