Afterward he helped wipe the high chairs and rinse the bottles.

It was the first time he’d done those things without announcing he was helping.

At the door he said, “I owe you an apology for what happened at the port.”

I waited.

“I humiliated you.

I lied.

I acted like you bringing the girls was an attack when you were trying to give me something good.”

My throat tightened, but I didn’t rescue him from the discomfort.