The words tasted like ash.
I had been in the kitchen the whole time and I had heard nothing but splashing.
My children know they are not allowed to scream.
They know the rules.
But I apologized anyway, the way I always did.
I had heard nothing but splashing.
“See that you do,” Katherine replied, turning on her heel.
She paused at the gate, her eyes hard.
“Because I promise you, this is the last time I ask nicely.”
She marched back through the gate as if she owned the path.
I knelt down and pulled my oldest close.
“Mom, we weren’t yelling,” she whispered. “We promise.”
She marched back through the gate
“I know, sweetheart,” I said. “I know.”
That was the problem.
I knew, and I still said sorry.
***
I tucked my children into bed that night, and I sat alone at the kitchen table long after.
I thought about my husband.
