Planning for Timothy gave her a way to address uncertainty without pretending she could control it.

“The forms scared him,” she said.

“They scare me sometimes too.

But having a plan isn’t the same as saying it will happen tomorrow.”

That was the distinction Christopher had struggled to hold.

She looked toward her son.

“I asked whether he would be willing to be considered if I couldn’t care for Timothy.

I didn’t ask him to make a decision for your household without you.”