the school, and soothe a crying toddler without losing track of the food on the stove.
I knew which child hated tomatoes, which one needed reassurance before an exam, which one pretended not to be upset when a friend hurt their feelings, and which one would wake up frightened after a nightmare.
I could recognize the sound of each child’s footsteps on the stairs.
I remembered every school meeting, dentist appointment, vaccination, birthday, and permission slip.
Richard, meanwhile, was building his career.
He traveled for business, attended conferences, met important
