Learning Who They Were
To outsiders, the triplets looked almost identical.
To Noah, they quickly became unmistakably different.
Emma had a small birthmark near her shoulder and grew into the most cautious of the three.
Lily curled her fingers while sleeping and later became fearless, stubborn, and determined.
Grace had a tiny crease beside her eye when she smiled and seemed able to sense other people’s emotions before anyone else did.
Noah learned that raising triplets was not simply doing the same parenting job three times.
They wanted different things.
They feared different things.
They reacted differently to disappointment.
And, like many siblings, they constantly compared themselves.
Why was Lily better at math?
Why could Emma stay awake longer?
Why did Grace have more friends?
Noah became whatever the moment required.
Cook.
Nurse.
Referee.
Driver.
Homework assistant.
Disciplinarian.
Cheerleader.
Storyteller.
Handyman.
He wasn’t perfect.
But every morning he got up and tried again.
