She glanced toward Samantha, our thirteen-year-old, standing barefoot on the steps taking in every word.

And instead of softening, instead of lowering her voice or going to her child, Laura said, “Then maybe she’ll learn not to settle for an ordinary life.” And then she walked out the door, and it slammed shut behind her with a sound I can still hear.

There was no goodbye kiss for tiny Daisy.

There was no farewell to the other five, no crouching down to their level, no promise to call next week.

There was only a closing door, and on the other side of it, six daughters who, in that instant, became my entire world and my entire responsibility, and would remain both for the rest of my life.