Because children aren’t supposed to ask their parents whether the world is falling apart.
Parents are supposed to stand between them and the collapse.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you lying?”
“Only a little.”
She was quiet.
Then she said, “Mom said maybe we shouldn’t do the Washington trip next month.”
My throat tightened.
I had been saving for that trip for a year.
Sophie wanted to see the Smithsonian.
Her younger sister Lucy wanted to see “the big statue guy,” which I assumed meant Lincoln.
“We’re going.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
I said it with confidence I didn’t have.
After hanging up, I stood alone in the hallway staring through the windows at the city.
Then Eleanor joined me.
“You have children.”
“Two daughters.”
“How old?”
“Fourteen and nine.”
She smiled faintly.
“Best ages.”
“You have grandchildren?”
“One.”
Her expression changed.
“Claire.”
