Happy Mother’s Day, he says, I’m sorry I didn’t plan anything

That’s okay, I reply, I’ve already got something set up. I learned a long time ago you didn’t have planning genetics.

(what lies heavy between us is, neither do I)

But you shouldn’t have to and

Maybe my childhood twisted me up too much to be good at this also

my brain isn’t healthy right now

uh huh

It’s also cultural, I say cheerfully. Men are taught they never have to do this, and anyway,

the job always belongs to the person who cares about it.