Till the Ninth Break Do Us Part
In the crib beside her, our baby reached out, gripping my finger and cooing.
For the first time in my life, I felt completely at peace.
I replied calmly, "No. I want to stay with my wife right now. Please send a wreath on my behalf."
Yvonne, half-awake from my voice, asked if everything was fine.
I hung up, tucked her in, and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Everything's fine. Go back to sleep."
Outside, snow fell thick and heavy. Inside, the room was quiet enough to hear each flake land.