I took my son to visit my husband, the commander, but the guard blocked us at the gate and said, “His girlfriend is inside the unit. No visitors!” I covered my son’s ears, called my second brother, and

meeting Olivia’s eyes again. Something in his expression finally gave way.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. His girlfriend is inside the unit. No visitors.”

For three seconds, everything went silent.

Olivia reacted instantly. She pressed both hands over Ethan’s ears before the words could settle inside him. But the boy had already read the guard’s face. He had already continue reading …