A vest half on comes off in that water.

That boy knew it, somehow, and he made sure.”

I put my hands over my face, because I knew that voice.

I knew those exact words.

That was Mason.

My middle son, Mason, who used to bark that precise command at his little sisters every single school morning — put both arms through the straps, use both arms — standing in our front hall making sure their heavy backpacks were on right before he let them out the door.

It was his line.