for a moment julia could not anything wxcept his own heartbeat

was so small, so selfish, so human, that it hurt worse than a grand excuse.

“I was your son,” he said. “Not your prisoner.”

She covered her mouth.

He looked at the food. “I’m not ready.”

She nodded quickly, as if even that boundary was more mercy than she deserved. “I’ll wait.”

“Don’t wait at my door.”

Her face crumpled, but she nodded again. “Okay.”

He turned continue reading …