She had raised Carrie alone after her husband died young and wore that fact like armor. She believed experience outranked advice, and age made rules unnecessary. Mike respected her. Mostly. “She knows babies,” Carrie said. “She raised me. And Maxine already loves her.” That part was true. Maxine lit up when Eleanor entered a room.
Maxine reached for Eleanor with an enthusiasm she didn’t give easily. Eleanor took her without hesitation, holding her with the kind of practiced confidence that came from having raised a child once before. She settled Maxine against her hip, already murmuring to her, already in charge.