One was me.
One was Dominic.
The smallest figure stood between us.
Above the drawing, Sophie’s teacher had written the words Sophie dictated.
My family makes me happy.
I pressed the picture against my chest.
For the first time since arriving in Toronto, I allowed myself to remember our good days without feeling that doing so betrayed the decision to leave.
We had been happy sometimes.
Sophie had been loved.
Those truths could exist alongside everything that had gone wrong.
But they couldn’t make Dominic’s choices disappear.
Three months after I moved, Dominic came to Toronto.
I didn’t know until Rebecca called.
“Lauren, Dominic has contacted our office. He’s in the city and wants to speak with you.”
I was sitting at my desk.
My stomach tightened.
“How did he find me?”
“He contacted counsel. We haven’t provided your home address. He’s asking whether you would agree to meet somewhere neutral.”
