Mark stood beside the empty swimming pool and apologized to Tommy for missing the school assembly.

My son looked up, surprised.

He asked whether his father would come to the next one.

“I’ll put it on my calendar now,” Mark said, taking out his phone.

I hoped he would keep the promise.

I also knew that if he didn’t, Tommy and I had built a life that would not collapse around the disappointment.

PART 18

Shortly after the house went on the market, Mark asked to meet me at a café near my office.