And behind it, the whole time, I was a woman losing her mind with fear.

Both things were true.

Both things are always true, in the mothers who get their children out.\n\n”Listen to me, both of you,” I said, and I made my voice calm — impossibly, deliberately calm, the calmest I have ever made it in my life.

“We’re in a tight space right now.

But Mom is right here beside you.

I’m holding your hands.