I came home late, and your disappointment was palpable. I knew that when you were extremely disappointed, you’d shut down and avoid talking—but grabbing your blanket and lying on the couch, silently declaring you were sleeping there, wasn’t something I expected.

After minutes of trying to convince you, frustration got the better of me, and I gave up, retreating to bed. But sleep didn’t last long. I woke up a few hours later, staring at the ceiling as the hum of the air conditioning filled the otherwise silent room.