Happy and You Know It

by Laura Hankin

Because even though fathers stamped children with their last names, the world didn’t ask as much of them. No one really expected fathers to consider giving up their careers to put their children first, to stop managing a company and start managing a household. Women had to grapple with a choice that men never did while remaining uncomplaining and generous so that they didn’t nag their husbands straight into the arms of less complicated lovers.

The truth is just that sometimes you think you’re a good person, and then little by little, you justify your way into being a bad one.”