I Returned For Thanksgiving To Find My Parents Gone—And My Father Waiting

actual emergency.

I watched the screen.

Delivered.

Then the three dots appeared. He was typing.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Part of me—the stupid, hopeful part—wanted him to say, “Oh my God, we’re catching the first flight back.”

The phone buzzed.

Babe, chill out. Don’t be so dramatic. You know how he is—he has bad days all the time. Mom says he’s continue reading …