Ten.One Thousand, Five Hundred & Forty-Four

1. Quiet.

2. I can’t find the lighter for the candles. I’m sure it’s in her bedroom.

3. One cup of coffee together staring out over the trees. The sun is coming up between that narrow V of the valley. Purple and pink and blue under the thin gray strip of fog.

4. I count twelve hot air balloons dotting the horizon.

5. Sundays.

6. She has so much poise.

7. I tell him it was a frustrating day today because I made too many mistakes for my liking. He tells me that mistakes are good. He is not wrong.

8. There is still much to do.

9. The 10-year-old breaks it all down, tells his bigger brother that it’s time to get over it. We are laughing. From the mouths of babes.

10. Will I make it to 9 o’clock?