We were in the car.
Isabelle had a rash and we were headed to the pharmacy.
She wasn’t in a good mood.
We talked a little—I don’t even remember what it was about.
I asked something simple.
She said no.
I tried again. Another no.
So I asked, mostly to lighten it up,
“Will you say no to everything today?”
She said, “Yes.”
And that was that.
We rode the rest of the way in silence.
Nothing dramatic. Nothing cruel. Just a moment of distance.
I didn’t push.
She didn’t explain.
We got the cream. We drove home.
Some days, that’s all it is.
