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

between us.

My palms are sweating.

Mike reaches across the table and holds Leo’s small hand in his big one.

“Mom’s body is sick,” Mike says.

Leo frowns.

“Like when I had the ear thing?” he asks.

“Kind of,” I say. “But different.”

Leo’s brow furrows deeper.

“Is that why you go to the doctor a lot?” he asks.

“Yes,” I whisper.

Leo stares at my beanie.

“Is that why continue reading …