He had decided to make a new video.

This time he asked permission first.

I said yes, as long as everyone in it agreed.

He aimed the lens at our window, where rain had left tiny beads of water on the glass.

Then he turned it toward our dog, who was sleeping with one paw in the air.

“Say something, Mom,” Noah instructed.

I thought about everything that camera had held.

The fear in Julian’s voice when his lies began to unravel.