“You’re doing the difficult part: telling the truth consistently.”

At home, Maya had cooked enough pasta for six people.

Frank was reading instructions for a new baby monitor, holding the manual at arm’s length despite wearing his glasses.

“Technology used to come with three buttons,” he complained.

“You said the same thing about the washing machine,” I reminded him.

“The washing machine still has too many buttons.”

Theo kicked his feet in his bouncer while Maya laughed.

I stood in the doorway, listening to the ordinary noise of people who had come because they cared.