They said things to me that were built on it.

A woman named Praxedes, whose son had lived for six days, told me once — gently, meaning it entirely as comfort — that in some ways what I had was cleaner.

I want you to sit with that for a second, because I have.

A woman who had held her son for six days told a woman who had held hers for none that at least it had been quick.

And the woman she said it to had held hers for none because her husband had not come down one floor.