I backed away before they could catch me overhearing.

Later, after her friends left, Sadie came into the kitchen and saw me wiping the counter for the third time.

“Mom, are you crying?”

“Brownie dust,” I said.

“That’s not a thing.”

“It is in this family.”

She gave me a hug that lasted longer than usual.

I thought about how often I had equated a good home with keeping everyone happy.