I learned to sleep in short stretches, feed my baby, attend appointments, and answer questions without apologizing for needing a break.
My sister drove me when I could not drive myself, stocked the refrigerator without commenting on how much I ate, and left clean clothes outside the bathroom instead of entering without permission.
Those ordinary acts rebuilt trust more effectively than any promise could have.
Marcus and his mother were eventually found guilty of offenses connected to the confinement and abuse.
They were sentenced separately, and the court orders barred them from contacting me.
Marcus spoke at the final hearing about stress, fear, and the pressure of becoming a father.
