Если я останусь

           AndIthinkby‘us,’shemeansmeandAdam."Kimstopsandsmilesforasplitsecond.Thenshemakesthisfunnynoise,acrossbetweenacoughandathroat-clearing.I’veheardhermakethissoundbefore;it’swhatshedoeswhenshe’ssummoninghercourage,gettingreadytojumpofftherocksandintothebracingriverwater.

           "Idohaveapointtoallthis,"shecontinues."Thereareliketwentypeopleinthatwaitingroomrightnow.Someofthemarerelatedtoyou.Someofthemarenot.Butwe’reallyourfamily."

           Shestopsnow.Leansovermesothatthewispsofherhairticklemyface.Shekissesmeontheforehead."Youstillhaveafamily,"shewhispers.

           Lastsummer,wehostedanaccidentalLaborDaypartyatourhouse.Ithadbeenabusyseason.Campforme.Thenwe’dgonetoGran’sfamily’sMassachusettsretreat.IfeltlikeIhadbarelyseenAdamandKimallsummer.Myparentswerelamentingthattheyhadn’tseenWillowandHenryandthebabyinmonths."Henrysaysshe’sstartingtowalk,"Dadnotedthatmorning.Wewereallsittinginthelivingroominfrontofthefan,tryingnottomelt.Oregonwashavingarecordheatwave.Itwasteninthemorningandpushingninetydegrees.

           Momlookedupatthecalendar."She’stenmonthsoldalready.Wherehasthetimegone?"ThenshelookedatTeddyandme."HowisithumanlypossiblethatIhaveadaughterwho’sstartinghersenioryearinhighschool?Howinthehellcanmybabyboybestartingsecondgrade?"

           "I’mnotababy,"Teddyshotback,clearlyinsulted.