Michael Walked Out of His Office the Day Four-Year-Old Noah Called About a Broken Arm

“You can see him at the court center on Tuesdays, Lena.

That’s all I can give you.”

“He’s my son too.”

“You left him alone with a man who had an active protective order.

You lied to my face for months on end.”

“Only one afternoon a week at my new place,” Lena said.

“No, Lena.”

The single word hung in the hallway between them.