I wanted him to see what he had left behind.

The girls had come home from the hospital only two days earlier.

Everything about taking them out required more planning than Marcus’s entire farewell had seemed to require: feeding, clean bottles, spare clothing, the stroller, their discharge instructions, and the quiet knowledge that a change of plans could leave three babies crying at once.

I chose a place away from the heaviest crowd.

I checked the blankets without adding more layers than they needed.