I liked the symmetry.

The language once used to make me feel outside a family became something I could pass to my child without fear attached.

PART 35 — SOPHIA WRITES AGAIN

Years passed before Sophia contacted me.

Leo was starting school.

She wrote:

I know we haven’t spoken in a long time. I wanted you to know Leo is doing well. His father and I co-parent. I’m not asking for friendship. I just think about what happened sometimes and how close I came to letting people make decisions about my child for me.

I replied: