I wanted accountability that could withstand examination, not an accusation big enough to satisfy my anger for an afternoon.

At home I put Miles on a blanket and watched him discover his feet.

He stared at them in astonishment, then reached and missed.

I laughed so hard I startled him.

The world was still full of ordinary discoveries.

I hadn’t realized how badly I’d missed noticing them.

PART 18

My first day back at the community center began with a spilled bottle of milk, a missed bus, and a call from the childcare provider asking whether Miles had a favorite comfort item.