“My house, my rules,” my daughter-in-law said as she took back the spare key, expecting me to stay with the children while she and my son went away for the weekend.

hurt of that night without repeating repeat it.

Chapter 3

Claire and Daniel eventually hired a reliable nanny. I knew it couldn’t be as simple as replacing me with one person; they’d been relying on me for groceries, dinners, laundry, and reminders as well as school pickups. They began dividing that work and arranging it themselves.

I was glad the children had dependable care. I’d worried about them during the quiet weeks after I left, especially Lucy, who noticed changes before anyone explained them. Daniel told me both children were