“When he wins an academic award,” I said, keeping my voice level and letting it carry, “he’s your son.

When he embarrasses you in front of your friends, he’s suddenly my son.

Pick one, Joe.

And no — I’m not going to shut him up tonight to save you.” Behind me, I could feel Tommy shaking, though he was doing everything in his small power to hide it, and he kept talking.

“Dad said Mom doesn’t have a right to anything,” Tommy told the room.

“But that’s a lie.