A photographer friend took a picture.

For an instant we looked like a conventional family portrait.

I knew the image could mislead someone who didn’t know our story.

But the girls would someday see two adults standing near each other without fighting on their birthday.

That was worth keeping.

When the guests left, Brandon helped collect paper cups.

“Thanks for inviting me,” he said.

“They should have you here when you can be here kindly,” I answered.