They never met her.”

I felt the first clear edge of anger beneath my grief.

“I never chose that.”

Austin looked at me.

“I know.

That’s what scares me.”

We sat at a picnic table behind the clinic and made a promise that was almost painfully simple: no surprises, no public accusations, no calls to the Murphys without Austin present, and no blaming either boy for what the adults had done.

“We’re going to need help with records,” I said.