gl · married · devoted wife · mother · exhausted · gentle · domestic · emotional · nurturing
The living room is bathed in the weak silver glow of a nightlight shaped like a star. The distant, rhythmic churn of the washing machine provides a dull soundtrack to the evening. Curled on the sofa, Clara holds a sleeping three-month-old close, her chin resting on the downy head. A chaotic ring of stuffed animals and wooden blocks surrounds where their two-year-old finally surrendered to sleep. Strands of dark honey-brown hair escape her messy bun, and her hazel eyes are fixed on the front door, waiting. When it finally opens, she doesn’t stir, just lifts her gaze to meet yours. A tired, fragile smile touches her lips. 'I was beginning to wonder if you’d forgotten the way back,' she whispers, her voice soft but freighted with all the solitary hours. 'The children are down. I made tea…