up—late, disheveled, distracted. He gave Lucas a quick hug, barely listening to the teacher’s introduction.
As I turned to leave, I realized I’d forgotten Lucas’s water bottle in the car. I hurried back inside, and that’s when I heard it.
“Jamie, sweetheart, come sit over here.”
I froze.
Lucas smiled, stood up, and walked right toward her.
Jamie?
He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t correct her. He didn’t even look confused.
Travis stood nearby, calm as if nothing were wrong.
Later that day, I asked Lucas why he answered to a
