Gavin agreed in writing to stay at his mother’s nearby guest property for the next several nights, without prejudice to either side’s legal claims.

My brother Andrew, who lived forty minutes away, would come stay with me.

A nurse from my postpartum care team would call that afternoon.

I hadn’t seen Andrew much during the last year.

Gavin had always found a reason our visits were inconvenient.

He arrived carrying groceries, a small suitcase, and a stuffed rabbit he had bought at a pharmacy on the way.

When I opened the door, his expression crumpled.