them.

I didn’t yet understand that I could open the door to that relationship without sacrificing my daughter’s emotional safety.

Chapter Four: The Drive to My Parents’ House

We left shortly after noon on Christmas Day.

The winter sky was pale blue, and frost covered the lawns along our neighborhood street.

Lily sat in her car seat, happily clutching a soft stuffed reindeer.

Every so often, she made a little sound that caused Evan to smile at the rearview mirror.

“She’s excited about Christmas,” he said.

“She has absolutely no