My Daughter Begged Me Not to Get Off the Bus—Minutes Later, My Boyfriend Sent a Photo of My Deed Beside a Contract I Had Never Signed

I did not announce that laughter meant she had recovered.

After a moment, she became serious again.

“Are you mad I didn’t want to get off?”

I moved the mail aside.

“Lily, look at me.”

She did.

“You never need to apologize for telling me you’re afraid.”

“But what if I’m wrong?”