If Only I Had Told Her

by Laura Nowlin

I’ve seen her finish a novel, pause staring off into space for a minute like she’s receiving instructions, and then open another book. It’s as if her job is to read and she’s behind on her quota.

“Yeah, those three things are, like, ninety percent of the job. They’re also the only things you’ll be able to control. The world’s gonna fuck with your kid no matter what. All you can do is teach ’em to brush their teeth and love themselves.”