I held still while her fingers explored it.

The afternoon wasn’t a movie scene.

She grew tired and needed rest.

The boys fought over a plastic cup.

I spilled water while trying to open a childproof container, and Megan had to show me twice how to secure the stroller harness.

I went home exhausted after only three hours.

I called Ruth that evening to ask whether it was always like that.

“Sometimes it’s more work,” she said.