I came back from a business trip, and the first thing my seven-year-old son said was, “Don’t go into my room.” Of course, I went in anyway.

he sounded upset.

“You said four sleeps,” he reminded me.

“I know, sweetheart.”

“I already did three.”

“That means there is only one left.”

He went quiet again.

“When are you coming home, Mom?”

“Tomorrow evening.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

By the fourth day, I was exhausted.

My meetings had run longer than expected, and I had spent most of the afternoon staring continue reading …