“I will.”

He said it without treating her as a fragile possession I was handing over.

I had watched him listen when she disagreed, notice when she was tired, and answer ordinary questions without acting as if they were attacks.

Those things reassured me more than an extravagant promise.

Evelyn entered while he was gathering his own things.

“If Elena starts something, I’m going outside before I say something I can’t take back.”

“That may be wise,” I said.