“It doesn’t have to be exhausting to count.”

Before bed we stepped outside to look at the stars.

Callum put one arm around my shoulders.

The air smelled of wet leaves and wood smoke, and for the first time in a long time I wasn’t measuring the night by everything that might go wrong.

PART 30

A family therapist suggested that Callum and I write down what we wanted from each other during difficult weeks.

We were skeptical at first.