None of that is shameful, Preston.

What is shameful is pretending I had a choice between asking you and being believed.”

He listened without trying to rescue the story from its uncomfortable parts.

“I want to help now,” he said.

“Then start with dependability.

The boys need to know that if you say you’ll be here on Tuesday, you will be here on Tuesday.”

Preston looked down at the parenting schedule they had drafted.

Tuesdays, Saturday afternoons, and short calls at an agreed time.