At 3 A.M., My Brother Dragged Me Out of My Bedroom While Dad Laughed—He Had No Idea What the Smoke Detector Had Recorded

She was gentler than my father.

She noticed when I became quiet.

She asked whether I was eating properly.

Remembered which sweater made me comfortable.

Kept spare buttons in the junk drawer.

But when Douglas entered a disagreement, she usually let him finish it.

I didn’t think that mattered much when I was young.

I understood the consequences only later.