Chapter 1 — The Center of Every Room

My mother, Dorothy, had a way of becoming the center of every room without ever asking for attention.

After Dad left, she worked two jobs, raised Nicole and me, and somehow kept our cramped house feeling steady and warm despite everything.

Chapter 2 — She Is Busy

Nicole was four years younger than me, and fearless in ways I never was.

She moved across the country after college, built a career, bought an apartment, and called home just often enough for Mom to keep defending her absence to me.

“She’s busy,” Mom would say whenever Nicole canceled. “You know how demanding her work is.”

I knew.