Ellen searches the bank carefully. She makes a point of finding the same stone again. She doesn't tease her son this time, but before giving him another chance she moves the stroller down closer. Right down there, so close that the wheels are getting wet.
This time the water splashes. Carl shakes his arms up and down with joy. Together they watch the ripples spread out. She is forgetting everything, mesmerized by the water, just as she'd planned. But when she looks back to her son it all returns.
She knows in this instant that dreams and hard work aren't enough. That no matter how much you plan, or how hard you try, you can't build a life solely on good intentions.