Sophie grew older and more confident. She learned to ride her bicycle, started a new school year, and developed a fierce determination to do things for herself.
One evening, she asked me why her father and I did not live together.
I had prepared for that question many times.
I told her that adults sometimes make choices that hurt one another, and that a family can change shape without a child being responsible for the change.
“Did Daddy do something bad?” she asked.
I chose my words carefully.
“Your father made some serious mistakes, and we could not fix our marriage. But you are allowed to love him. You don’t have to choose sides.”
She looked thoughtful.
“Are you still angry?”
“Sometimes I feel sad about what happened,” I admitted. “But I am not letting that sadness decide what kind of life I have.”
She hugged me.
“I think you’re strong, Mommy.”
