I Held the Keys

My father looked to my mother.

Then he started, slowly, to close the door.

“We’re sorry,” he said. “You need to work this out with your husband.”

The door shut while Caleb was still, patiently, asking about chocolate milk. Through the wood I heard Trevor say something low, and Brooke laugh, and my mother’s voice reminding the room that I would calm down eventually, that I always did.

Sadie looked up at me with a question no child should have to hold.

“Where are we going to go now, Mom?”