Watching her grow, even just a little.

Being useful to you.

I wanted to be here, Laura.

That was my choice.

It was the only thing I wanted.”

“Mom,” I sobbed.

“I just didn’t want to become a chore for you to manage,” she whispered, and there it was — the whole tragedy of her, distilled into a single sentence.

And I took her face in both my hands and I looked into her eyes and I said, “Listen to me.