Sometimes, late at night, I lie awake wondering if protecting my daughter has come at the expense of my marriage.
A few days later, I got a call from Claire, Kate’s mom.
“She seems happier lately,” Claire said. “When we talk, she doesn’t sound so sad anymore. Did something change?”
I hesitated but told her the truth. Claire was quiet for a long moment. Then she said, “You did the right thing. Kate has always needed her space. She’s sensitive, and when people cross her boundaries, she retreats. Thank you for standing up for her.”
Her words were a balm to my troubled mind. Maybe I wasn’t crazy. Maybe I wasn’t overreacting.
