She was doing well.

She did not need to be exceptional every hour to justify the relief everyone felt that she was here.

That morning, she had been mildly annoyed because Clara asked her to clear cups from the breakfast table.

Clara had found the annoyance reassuring and kept that thought to herself.

A child should not have to hear that her impatience comforted a mother remembering an emergency.

Tires crunched on the gravel driveway.