A month later, we agreed on a regular schedule of visits and video calls.

It allowed flexibility for illnesses and school events, with enough notice that Willa could trust the calendar.

I learned to keep extra crayons in my briefcase and to check whether she had eaten before planning anything exciting.

No one applauded me for that.

I was glad they didn’t.

PART 17

There were people who wanted to turn the situation into a public drama.

A business blog mentioned that I had stepped back from several projects and speculated about my health.