Hannah, if you are reading this, I failed to say aloud what I should have said years ago.

I nearly closed it.

Sadie waited.

I continued.

I have spent much of my life mistaking delay for protection.

Good line.

Annoying man.

At first, I kept Richard’s secret because I feared for Mom. Then I kept it because I had already kept it. Later I told myself I was protecting Theresa, Sadie, our children, and you. The truth is less flattering. I was protecting myself from seeing disappointment in your face.