At 30,000 Feet, I Watched My Wife Crawl Across the Floor With Both Legs in Casts While My Mother Hid Her Crutches—Then I Noticed What Was Recording Behind Them

Phyllis learned to ask.

Clara learned she could leave.

That was enough.

I still see Mom alone sometimes.

She is older now.

Softer in certain ways.

Still Phyllis.

Corrects restaurant servers.