Mom calls up the stairs. “You want to take a break, Jenny? I’m doing coffee and cake.”
From my rocking chair in the nursery, I call back. “On my way.”
Setting my book down, I lift Cara, then Adam, out of the playpen. “Come on. Let’s go see Granny downstairs. She’s making us all something nice to eat.” Cara beams “Ya! Ya! Ya!” Adam gurgles agreement.
Ya!”Taking Adam by one hand, Cara by the other, I lead them down the stairs. Cara protests, tugging her hand from mine. “Big girl!” Gripping each banister in turn, she makes her way down, step by step. I match her, one step at a time. Adam placidly accompanies me, doing it my way.
I thought Mom was in the kitchen, but instead, she’s there, in the hallway, standing frozen, staring toward the back end of the hall.
Her mouth is open. Her br
