Mason looked toward Vivian.

Vivian looked toward the judge.

Then Judge Maren slowly removed her glasses.

For the first time, Vivian looked frightened.

Not because she was innocent.

Because she was finally beginning to understand I was never alone.

Judge Maren held the envelope with both hands as though it weighed far more than paper should.

She read silently.

Vivian’s attorney swallowed hard twice. Mason whispered nervously, “Mom, what’s happening?”

I answered him myself.

“What’s happening is that Dad knew.”