“That sounds about right.”

Two days later the reimbursement arrived in my mailbox, along with a short handwritten apology.

I deposited the check, but I kept the note.

It was a reminder that people sometimes could take responsibility without anyone pretending the damage had never happened.

PART 12

Brandon and Brittany attended several more counseling sessions.

I didn’t ask for updates unless he volunteered them.

There were moments when he seemed hopeful, and other days when he came home exhausted by conversations that never seemed to reach the same conclusion twice.