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

He smiled back.

Outside, San Diego brightened beneath a clear blue sky.

Inside, Olivia Whitaker Langford rolled dough across the counter while her son scattered too much cinnamon and laughed when it spilled. Her phone remained face down.

The past could call as often as it wished.

This morning, she would not answer.