“He isn’t old enough to think ill of me. Isn’t old enough to think anything other than I’m his mother, and I’ll look out for him.” Which she hadn’t, of course. He’d of been better off if she’d given him up when he was born. Let some other family take him. Some family that had a real name and a real history. Someone safe.

She looked away from the man. Not because of what she saw in his face, but because of what she didn’t want to be seen in hers.

“We always think we have more time. But I’m sure you’re a better dad than you think. You’d be amazed, what children will forgive their fathers.”