That Kind of Mother

by Rumaan Alam

Absent actual sleep, the restorative sort, that deep oblivion, Rebecca began to feel mad.

her eyes could not focus, and she was tired in a way that transcended the physical. It was not sleepiness, which meant only lack of sleep; it was part of her essence, like using her left hand, like having ears.

Cooking was a relief, like prayer.

that when I gave in to motherhood I found it a lot simpler.

To be a mother was to bake.