“Do you love Amy more than Jake?” It was a stupid question; Sheila is the Best Mother. She’s got the trophies to prove it.

“Just differently,” she said pedanticly.

“I love you two differently, for different reasons.”

“You – made a choice!”

“I didn’t choose to love her.”

“You chose to be with her. You could have been here, with us, and you chose her.”

“Not always.”

“You should have been faithful to me!” She threw a pillow at me. “It’s not fair! You’re the only man I’ve loved in twelve years, and I only get part of your love.” She blew her nose and threw the tissue into a pile on the floor. She’s a very neat person; this was my mess. I did this to her. “I talked to Jessica. She seems nice. But it hurts to know that you could love her as much as me.”

And that’s when it hit me. “I don’t love her as much. When she told me you’d called, I was sorry I’d hurt her, but I didn’t even try to reason with her. I paid the bill, and came home as soon as I could. You’re my home. Can we try again?”