On Mother’s Day, my grown kids told me they had chosen the restaurant and expected me to pay for all twelve of them, just like always.

sat beneath the restaurant skylight, laughing over mimosas, Helen was at Dulles International Airport, moving calmly through security with her boarding pass in hand.

At 1:37, Brian called.

She let it ring.

At 1:52, Madison called twice.

Helen declined both calls.

At 2:11, Kevin sent a picture of the restaurant table loaded with lobster Benedict, steak, continue reading …