The Lie That Lived With Us

g, I called the

enrollment. I reported t

company and flagged the un

Hall. I officially register

. My son. My

certificate, showing only "Leo Connelly," a

le: "My son, my name

it. Mark's entire extended famil

hat evening, his

ell did you

ud, Mark. And I re

? And that Instagram post? Are you trying t

tartled, began to wail from

Sarah! My colleague! How

ast him to

. The parents whose death you helped me through. You climbed that icy fire escape t

It was a raw point, a time

about the school enrollment,

y cruel," he hissed.

u did wasn't

ollment was revoked b

le, the night nurse, and

, autumn leaves c

coffee shop. Mark' s

e window, we saw

ayfully feeding him

out and adjusted a

, handcrafted

ioned from a local arti

aimed hadn't be

ran cold,

stroller to Isab

nto the co

ed. Mark' s face went p

," I said, my voice dangerously

I bought this one for Brenda. A thank you. For her help on the Maxwell proje

lie was so blatant

ift. On her wris

to me,"

on't make

tch, Ma

his eyes darting nervous

ded it

lights. Then I walked to the door, stepped outsid

a smal

ut, aghast. "

iumphant little smile

e choked with anger. He turned and left wi

ched me, her expr