Miles kept crying.
Luke grabbed the edge of my cast with both hands.
"You take care of them. That's your job."
I gently freed myself and whispered, "Okay. I've got you."
I've got it. I'm fine.
I'd been saying both for too long.
***
My mom, Noelle, came over the next afternoon.
She found me wiping formula off the counter with my good hand while Luke kicked in his seat.
"Okay. I've got you."
"Hope."
"I'm almost done."
She took the cloth from me.
"Sit."
"Mom, it's sticky."
"It'll still be sticky in five minutes."
"I'm almost done."
I sat.
She found my tea in the microwave.
"You reheated this already?"
"Twice."
Mom knew I cleaned when I was overwhelmed.
She made me a fresh cup.
"You reheated this already?"
"Where's Derek?"
"Work."
