“She knew we were together.

The rest became complicated.”

I did not push for an account she was not ready to give about a person who could no longer answer.

I had enough living people to speak to without making the whole family tree a hearing.

“I want to be in the girls’ lives,” I said.

“But I won’t pay for Julian’s silence.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“If you need help, ask directly.