“This is where I finally woke up,” she said.

“And where I almost lost you again,” I said.

“No, Marianita.” She turned and smiled at me.

“This is where we both came home.” And then, because she could never resist it, that playful light came into her eyes.

“Do you remember the very first time you bathed me, in your fancy garden tub?” My face went hot.

“Please don’t.” “You wore rubber gloves,” she said, delighted.

“Mom, I was an idiot, I’ve apologized a hundred times—” “A hundred and one never hurts,” she winked, and we stood on that ordinary sidewalk and laughed until we cried.