PART 6 — THE HUSBAND WHO CAME HOME SIX YEARS TOO LATE

Michael did not sleep at my house.

I refused.

“Where should I go?” he asked.

“A hotel.”

He looked hurt.

I didn’t apologize.

Emily and Ryan stayed with me.

For the first time in years, both my children slept under the same roof.

None of us slept much.

At three in the morning, I found Emily sitting at the kitchen table.

The same table where I had eaten my birthday cake alone.

She held a cup of tea.

“I used to sit exactly where you are when you were ten,” I said.

She looked up.

“When I couldn’t sleep?”

“You always wanted warm milk.”

A faint smile.

“I hated warm milk.”

“I know.”

“You made it anyway.”

“I thought mothers were supposed to.”

Her smile vanished.

“I’m sorry.”

I sat across from her.

“This time, tell me what you’re sorry for.”