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

swinging.”

My mother inhaled sharply. “You sound monstrous.”

I looked at the medication schedule taped to my fridge, at the insurance paperwork stacked on the counter, at the little plastic breathing device Emma hated but needed.

“Then tell people I learned from the family.”

My father tried later, using his calm voice.

The one he used when he wanted to continue reading …