I did not invent an answer merely to avoid an uncomfortable question.

Once we were home, life reduced itself to feeding schedules, laundry, pediatric visits, and tiny victories.

On one particularly difficult night, June refused to settle until I began humming a song my mother used to sing.

I had forgotten the words but apparently remembered the melody.

The following morning I sat with her in the sunny corner of the kitchen and cried without knowing whether I was happy or sad.

Nora arrived with coffee.