“Then don’t let one dramatic afternoon become the shape of the next eight years.”

I looked at the four pairs of winter boots lined neatly beside the hotel door.

It was strange how small a lesson could come wrapped in an ordinary image.

“I’m going to make sure it doesn’t,” I said.

The following morning I wrote a short email to Terrence suggesting neutral visits, a counselor experienced in reunification, and a conversation with separate family-law attorneys about parental responsibilities.

I promised nothing beyond a beginning.