My Mom Gave My Kids Sleeping Bags While My Sister’s Children Took the Guest Room and Something Finally Broke

from the banister. Ellie’s rabbit from the couch. Owen’s coat draped over the chair where I’d put it because there were no hooks left. Four suitcases, one pie carrier, one gift bag with nothing in it anymore.

Ryan buckled Ellie into her car seat. I carried Owen, who had gone completely silent with the particular silence that six-year-olds use when they continue reading …