To explain why I could say that without shaking, I need to tell you about the first night I returned from service.

My mother had both girls against her chest, one tucked on each side of her cardigan.

Katie was the first to quiet when I spoke.

Chloe was still crying when I sat down next to her crib.

They were only weeks old.

They didn’t know my voice well enough to be comforted by it, and that truth hurt worse than I expected.