Every word of that is true. I could have said it and she would have accepted it and I would have bought myself another four years.

“Because it was easier for me,” I said.

Nora blinked.

“That’s the real reason, and you asked, so you get the real one. He did do bad things. He stole money from the Army and he lied and he hurt me and he wasn’t there when you and Theo were born and you were both very sick.

All of that is true and you can ask me about any of it, whenever you want, forever.

“But when you asked me who that man was, at the street with the leaves, I could have said *that’s your father and I’ll tell you about him at home.* And I didn’t.