cnu-At my fortieth birthday party, my sister swung a baseball bat into…

out of habit, then tighter.

“My ribs are fine, Mom,” she whispered.

I laughed and cried at the same time.

“I know.”

“Thank you for fighting.”

“Always.”

Derek and I drove home mostly in silence. The house felt too quiet when we walked in, but not empty. There is a difference. Empty means something missing that should return. Quiet means space waiting to continue reading …