Most evenings they still preferred playing with blocks, arguing over cartoons, and asking for another chapter at bedtime.

Their lives were larger than their father’s regret, and I intended to keep them that way.

PART 18

The First Broken Promise

Not every step forward stayed forward.

In March, Terrence canceled a Saturday outing three hours before we were supposed to meet.

His message mentioned a mandatory briefing that had been moved without warning.

I believed there had been a schedule change.