I used to rock them to sleep.
When Naomi was pulling double shifts, I was the one making school lunches, tying little shoes, wiping tears when knees got scraped. I gave up my retirement dreams, sold my car to help with bills, turned my tiny living room into a playground so they’d always have a place to feel safe.
And now? Now I sit in a cold, beige room with a roommate who stares at the wall all day.