VI.

One day I’m talking with Avery, now fifteen, about the other names we might have given her.

“You shoulda named me Marin.”

“That was on Dad’s list. I didn’t really like it.”

“Well, I like it.”

“Well, looking back I kinda think maybe I shoulda named you Silvey.”

She pauses. And then, “I’ll name my own daughter Silvey, Mom.”

I know it’s my job as her mom not to cry.