You don’t have to pretend you’re fine every minute.”

She turned toward me.

“Did Grandma Eleanor ever tell you she was scared of being a mother?”

“All the time.

She used to say courage was doing the morning chores even when your heart was uncertain.”

Chloe smiled.

“Then maybe I’m already practicing.”

I thought of the legal pad, the appointments, the green bicycle waiting in the shed, and the crib assembled correctly despite my objections.