i

inks I'm as

tell her wh

nothing and which ones mean I should listen. The fridge makes noise,

ght, she w

e hallway. She didn't come in. She just stood there for a little while. I kept my

the. In and out. Li

he went t

ouse went quiet again b

kind of quiet feels different. It makes the air

oes. Soft voice. Gentle hands. Same routine. But her

and didn't ask for help.

rds felt weird in my mouth, so I told him about my crown instead

ght away. Sometimes she's late, but not today.

irred while she watched the pot. She kept checking

not

mmy washed dishes. The water ran loud, and

of our house. Just us

he usually only reads one. She tucked me in and kissed my fo

mmy,"

opped. "Y

you mad

the edge of the bed. Her

," she

wai

"I'm not mad. I

what that meant, but it

g back to live

k her head

not. Like when you miss something

ay," I

hair back from my

I said. "I

he light and closed the d

ce. Then again. I heard her walking

didn't

she went to

door. I opened it just a little, enough to s

s talking o

s low. Not yell

not to contac

d Daddy's voice on the other en

"You don't get to d

other

ifficult," she said

t for a moment,

my chest

ging up now

. Then I heard a sound I

my lau

. The kind that break

losed the door softly. I climbed bac

day, Daddy

part was

he street through the window. Not nervous. More l

y's hand stayed on the cart handle the whole ti

le with papers spread out. Num

nd played quietly. I di

doorbel

s head sn

ked to the door. I followed

pened it, Dad

heart

ommy did

you doing her

to talk,"

Not

Plea

ired. Not sleepy

home,"

home," Da

y's mouth turn in

ing your home when

eld my

ked past Mom

anut," he s

n't say

hout touching me, like she was bloc

to leave," sh

e changed. He

oning her again

er voice. "You're doing

or a long moment. Then h

door and leaned her

ere, not know

rned around and kn

y you saw th

, because it felt like

arms wrapped all the way a

, she sat at the kitchen table with her phone

omething wa

l at once

just enough that you know you'll ha

eyes and listen

as stil

For