My Niece Grabbed My Daughter’s New Tablet and Said, “Auntie Says I Can Have Whatever I Want” — I Didn’t Raise My Voice

Clare pressed her forehead against the back of my neck. “You okay?”

“No,” I said. “But I will be.”

I meant it.

That weekend, just the three of us, we drove to the lake house. Emma swam until her fingers wrinkled and her lips went faintly blue. Clare read on the dock with her feet in the water and her face turned toward the sun. I grilled burgers and taught continue reading …