Drew had stood beside the casket holding a toy truck in each hand, not understanding why everyone kept touching his head.
Lily had slept through half the service in Reena’s arms.
Reena cried loudly, accepted casseroles, and told every person who came near her that she only wanted stability for the children.
Peter believed her.
He wanted to believe her.
Grief makes decent people mistake distance for healing.
It also makes them forgive excuses they would question in any other season.
At first, Peter stayed close.
He called every week.
He dropped off groceries.
He offered to mow the yard, fix the sink, take Drew for ice cream, babysit Lily, drive them to appointments, sit through paperwork, anything.
