Patrick agreed because the renewed relationship felt fragile, and he feared that if he pushed too hard she would shut him out again.

A little time became more time.

Then each year made the first conversation harder because the secret was no longer only a child I had not met.

It was also the deliberate omission of earlier years.

Patrick visited sometimes.

Other times, they spoke by telephone or had periods of strained contact.

Their relationship had not been continuously easy.

The grandson remained outside the account Patrick gave me regardless of how close he and Samantha were that month.