“I didn’t answer,” he said simply.

“I was feeding June her afternoon bottle.

I called Mom back at five after June was asleep and kept the call under two minutes.”

He picked up the pot holders and set the Dutch oven in the center of the table.

We sat down together while June cooed softly in her seat, swiping at a plastic yellow ring dangling from her arch.

The quiet in the kitchen felt different now.