As we were gathered around opening Christmas presents, my five-year-old suddenly shouted with joy,….

Sure, there were cracks. There always are.

Mike had grown distant over the past year — distracted, sometimes emotionally unavailable. I told myself it was work stress, parenthood, the slow grind of adult life. I never imagined it was something darker.

I especially didn’t imagine it involved our son.

Looking back now, I realize the warning signs were there long before Christmas morning.

I just didn’t want to see them.