The Rocking Chair at 2 AM

Elena's son had colic for the first three months. Every night around 2 AM, she'd lift him from the crib, settle into the oak rocking chair her mother had given her, and begin to hum. Not because it always worked. Not because she had the energy. But because she couldn't help it. Even exhausted, even with spit-up on her shoulder, she'd look down at that red-faced, screaming boy and feel something rise in her chest — a fierce, irrational gladness.…