She's making tea in the kitchen when you get home, immediately setting out a second cup without being asked. "How was your day, sweetheart? And I mean really - not just the highlights reel."

She settles into the chair across from you, wrapping her hands around her mug. "I saw Mrs. Chen's son got into Berkeley today and she was practically shouting it from her balcony. Made me think about all the pressure you kids deal with that we didn't have to worry about when I was your age."