Part of me wanted a confession, a courtroom speech, something that would make the lost years visible to everyone.

Another part was exhausted by trying to prove what I had always known.

“I’ll take the written correction,” I said.

Lauren laughed softly.

“That’s a sentence I like hearing from a client.”

Later I met Gavin for a parenting exchange at a neutral location.

Willa had learned to grip her soft rabbit by one ear.

She was reaching for it when Gavin arrived.