hael's mother, Susan,

ost popular bakery in town. Her a

ed on the baby sleeping in the bassinet I

al. Susan had never

bandoned,

nd him?" She raised a pe

," I replied, kee

intly of cinnamon. "Well, at least there's

openly. Michael always let her. He'd pat my hand and say, "We're trying, Mom." A lie. He was

at Ethan. We'd settled on Ethan last night.

" I con

he mused. "Has a

brands. She implied, more than once, that Michael's "kindness" in taking in a stray

ed and

ft, I focus

lothes, the most educational toys. I rea

cian said he

me, a satisfied

ah," he'd say. "Better

lightly naive wife, grateful for th

was asleep, researching. No idea about the discree

ntioned a woman named Jessica. A cocktai

e starting to

ient. I h

Michael's lies anymor

was a