“And that, right there, is why you’ll never be your father’s son. Don’t you see, Owen? That’s not how he feels. He’d rather die than admit how weak and inadequate he is or how little control he has over his rage. You would rather die than hurt me or anyone else you love. Can’t you see the difference?”

“I’m beginning to, but I still worry that he’ll rear his ugly head in me someday.”

“So when Holden is five and sitting at the table playing with his food rather than eating it, will you suddenly hit him so hard across his little face that he can’t go to school for a week out of fear that someone might see the bruises?” She’d purposely used the first time his father had hit him as an example.

“No,” he said, blinking furiously.

Laura framed his face with both her hands. “You would never, could never. You love Holden more than you love yourself. You love me more than you love yourself. That’s why you’ll never behave the way your father did. He loves no one more than he loves himself.”

He slid his arms around her, letting his head drop to her shoulder.

“I want you to say it.”

“Say what?”

“I’m nothing like my father. Say it.”

“Laura…”

She curled her hand around his nape, cradling him against her. “Say it.”

“I’m nothing like my father.”

“Say it again.”

He released a deep, rattling breath. “I’m nothing like my father.”

“One more time.”

“I’m nothing like my father.”

“We’ll keep working on this until it gets easier to say and believe.”

“I still don’t want you guys to come to Virginia.”

“Too bad.” Pressing her lips to his temple, she said, “Oh damn. Does it piss you off when I talk to you that way? Do you feel compelled to show me the back of your hand to keep me in line?”

He pulled her in closer. “Actually, it kind of turns me on when you talk back to me.”

Laura laughed. “That’s good to know.”

“Thank you.”

Her eyes filled, and she closed them, determined to stay strong for him when she wanted to weep. “Please don’t thank me for helping you to see that you’re a good man, Owen. One of the best men I’ve ever known. And I don’t expect my opinion of you to ever change.”

“It would kill me if I did something to lose your respect.”

“There again you prove my point. Do you think your father ever said anything like that to your mother?”

“I doubt he did.”

“I’m going to keep reminding you of all the differences between you and him.”

“Okay.”

“Come to bed with me, Owen. I need you.”

“You need me… Seems like the other way around tonight.”