“You don’t need to decide that now.”

He looked relieved by having one fewer decision and went to find the missing item.

I watched him leave and realized how many questions could be created by two adults saying they needed something easier.

Who belonged at a birthday, where a visit happened, which invitation meant what.

I couldn’t spare the boys every question.

I could stop asking them to settle the adults’ loyalties with the names they used.

I also could not ask Daniel to remain my husband simply because seven children made leaving consequential.