That did not absolve her of anything, and it certainly did not require me to solve the problem.

It simply made the situation harder to reduce to heroes and villains.

“I hope Liam gets honest answers,” I said.

“I’m trying to get them too.”

“Is Kenneth really going to leave you?”

“I’m the one deciding to leave,” I answered.

When we ended the call, I sat on the porch steps and watched a delivery truck turn into the street.

I didn’t feel triumphant.