It was going to be a bad day. I just knew it. After I went through my mom’s messages, it was clear that she was distressed and wanted to, as she put it, “talk some sense into me.” Her texts evolved from frustrated and accusatory to apologetic and concerned. I could hear it in her voice messages that her tone changed as more time went on.

I stepped out into the hall while Felix made breakfast and sent my mother a message, telling her that I was willing to have a calm conversation ...