Garrett’s relatives began calling almost immediately.

An uncle left a message saying the whole thing had gotten out of hand.

A cousin wrote that every marriage had troubles and asked whether I wanted to ruin the family.

Someone sent flowers without a card.

Loretta’s church friend called to say she was praying for reconciliation.

I did not answer.

Mercer advised me to preserve the messages, and the advocate helped me keep them organized.

I had once believed that refusing a family member’s call was cruel.