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

A picture from five years earlier showed Lena standing in Oakridge Community Park.

She was laughing, holding a tiny Noah in a thick red snowsuit.

“You don’t have to torture yourself with those,” Derek said.

Michael turned the heavy cardstock page.

Another picture showed Lena holding a chocolate birthday cake while Michael lit one candle.

“I keep looking for the exact day she changed,” Michael said.

“Some warning sign I just didn’t catch.”

Derek set two ceramic mugs on the table next to a new box of colored pencils.