Robert and I have been discussing the children’s future,” she began, her voice taking on that practiced sweetness that never quite reached her eyes. “We think it might be time to establish some boundaries. About visits and… well, influence.”

I felt my mouth go dry. “What kind of boundaries?”

“Oh, nothing dramatic,” she said with a wave of her manicured hand. “Just some structure. You know how confusing it can be for children when they get mixed messages about values and expectations.