The ice settled in his glass.

Out on the drive, a car went past the house without slowing, which happens perhaps twice a year.

“Because he wanted it more than I did,” I said.

“And I wanted him to feel he had earned something with me.”

“Earned.” Robert turned the word over.

“That word has done a great deal of damage in this family.”

“He practiced in the bathroom mirror with the door open.

I heard him say his own name four times, the whole speech, and I stood in the hall and let him have it.”