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

Like they’re scanning your face for cracks.

Finally, he nods.

“Okay,” he says, and the swing keeps moving.

But the question stays lodged in my chest.

I keep pushing until my arms shake so badly I have to stop.

Leo jumps out of the swing and runs to the slide, already onto the next joy.

I sit on a bench, breathing hard, trying not to look like I’m about to continue reading …