My husband gave away every maternity dress I owned while I was at work. When I asked what I was supposed to wear, he kept spreading mustard on his sandwich.

a little outfit I’d personally chosen.

We sat together talking about motherhood.

Neither of us pretended the previous autumn hadn’t happened.

But we were beginning to move forward.

By February, Nora was growing quickly.

Some of my maternity clothes no longer fit.

Others remained useful while I was nursing.

One afternoon, I opened my closet and examined the things I no longer needed.

The sage-green dress was still hanging beside my robe.

I reached for it.

Then I reached for an empty shopping bag.

And I made a decision.

PART