And I turned that fear into anger and aimed it at you, and that was wrong.
I know it was wrong.”
“Daniel — ”
“I’m not finished.” He looked up.
“I missed three years with you.
Lily doesn’t know you.
Paul’s kids have a grandfather they’ve barely met.
And I did that.
I need you to know that I know I did that.”
The kitchen was very still.
“I heard you,” I said.
“Are we okay?”
I picked up the pen.
Added the third book to Lily’s list.
“We’re going to be okay,” I said.
“That’s different from already being okay.
But it’s enough to start with.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
He wrapped both hands around his mug.
“What happens with the professor?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet,” I said.
“But Dr.
Marsh is taking it seriously.”
“Good.” He paused.
“Mom would have had something to say about a man who shook your hand on a stage and laughed about you in a back room.”
