I learned to agree, apologize, or make somebody else fix it.

I was doing that to Corinne.”

The counselor didn’t excuse him.

Neither did I.

Understanding the habit helped explain it, but he had still made choices.

We talked about money, communication, postpartum care, and what it would mean for Lucas to act as Paisley’s father rather than Agnes’s messenger.

He agreed to individual counseling and to keep reviewing our parenting plan.

I agreed to continue discussing practical matters without promising reconciliation.