I Promised My Son Forever—Then Cancer Made Me Count the Months

his throat behind me, like he’s swallowing his own pain.

Leo swings back toward me, still smiling.

“And then,” he says, like he’s telling me the most obvious thing in the world, “you’ll be there forever.”

Forever.

The word hangs between us like a balloon held by a trembling string.

My hands grip the swing chain.

I could lie again.

I could smile and say, Yes,continue reading …