At dinner Gregory seemed lighter and more ashamed at the same time.

That was another truth we were learning to tolerate: relief and guilt could live in the same room.

A few days later, one cousin called Paige to ask an intrusive question about biological inheritance.

Paige ended the conversation politely.

Gregory wanted to call the cousin back and defend her, but Paige stopped him.

“I handled it,” she said.

“Please trust me to tell you when I need help.”

He withdrew his hand from his phone.