That was the first fracture inside Mark’s family.

Not because David suddenly became a hero.

He didn’t.

He had stood in the doorway.

He had participated in the group discussion.

He had initially agreed to say he had been trying to help.

What mattered was that he finally stopped asking confusion to excuse a choice he remembered clearly.

PART 4 — THE HOUSE WE DIDN’T GO BACK TO

The hardest thing about leaving wasn’t the dramatic part.

It was toothpaste.