I mentioned it to Josh exactly once.
“Megan’s just particular about his routine, Mom,” he said, scrolling through his phone. “Give her time.”
So I gave her time. I bought Finn a wooden stacking toy for his six-month birthday and watched him play with it from across the room. I sent Megan articles about sleep schedules she never mentioned. I stopped offering to help, because every “no, thank you” landed a little harder than the last.
What I wanted was simple. I wanted to be a grandmother—not a guest.
What I needed, though I wouldn’t have said it out loud, was to stop feeling like I’d done something wrong without anyone telling me what it was.
**Part 3: The Porch
At 6:04 p.m. on Halloween, my phone buzzed.
Hey Mom. Megan and I got invited to a party last minute. Can you watch Finn for a few hours?
Before I could type a reply, a second message came through.
We’re outside. Can you grab him? We’re running really late.
I put down the bowl of mini Snickers I’d been filling for trick-or-treaters and hurried to the front door.
