I was doing laundry, sorting through the week’s underwear pile.
My 6-year-old walked in, stopped, and made a face.
“Mommy…your pile smells like fish”
She said it so innocently.
No shame, no filter - just a kid being honest.
But I froze.
Right then, my heart dropped.
I could feel my chest tighten. My face flushed hot. My stomach flipped like I was on a rollercoaster I didn’t ask to be on.
My hands started sweating, and my pulse was pounding in my ears.
I forced a laugh. Said something awkward like, “That’s just grown-up stuff,” and quickly changed the subject.