Instead, I asked what she would need to see from him before she trusted the apology.

“Maybe just one visit where he acts like my father,” she said.

The next morning, November 15, we discussed it over coffee at the bakery.

She brought her knitting basket, hoping to show him the nearly finished blanket.

She had decided on a short daytime visit.

“Today is the deadline,” I said.

“I know.”

“Counsel hasn’t received the full papers.”