It was just a courthouse parking lot, not a stage for the perfect reunion I used to imagine.

“I still love you,” I told him.

“That doesn’t mean I can come home.”

His eyes filled.

“I understand.”

I believed he understood more than he once had, even if I couldn’t know whether his understanding would last.

It was enough to let the conversation end there.

On the drive back, I wrapped Mom’s scarf around my neck.