When he had first seen Nick, his soul leapt out of him. He had recognized himself in him, the way he recognized himself in Jacob. He had never known it was possible to love your child so completely the first time you saw him, when you had never known he existed.

            And he had lied, for his son’s sake. Disclaimed the clinging of his soul to the thought of his son. Lying about love was so easy. Too easy. He had practice. “No, I don’t love you. I’m not your father.” While his soul cried, Jarod, my son! My son…