“I should have said something right away,” she whispered.
Dad stayed near the doorway, his eyes heavy.
“I misunderstood what strength really is.”
By afternoon, Evan showed up at their house, his voice soft, his posture exaggerated, dropping to his knees in front of curious neighbors he shamelessly pulled into his performance.
“I love you,” he said loudly.
For a brief second, habit pulled at me—the instinct to keep things looking perfect battling the clarity I had finally gained.
