The Only Way Through

is through.

The baby needed breakfast. The kids needed to get on the bus. My mind was already moving ten steps ahead when my son walked into the kitchen, his face tight, his voice small but urgent.

"I went to the den, and I saw a real, live mouse."

I barely looked up. "Are you sure?"

"I saw it," he repeated, firmer this time. "A real one."

A mouse was not on the list t…