I did not want an account built entirely from the worst moments if other moments supplied useful information.

Equally, I stopped offering excuses for things that deserved attention simply because I wanted the next visit to be easier.

The children were too small to understand the reports.

They could feel whether they were comfortable, tired, fed, or upset.

I kept returning to those needs when legal language threatened to make them sound like interests assigned to opposing sides.

Garrett’s obligations to support them did not end because his employment changed.