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

on the ship. Red and purple neon lights flashed in the background. A guy in a tropical shirt was banging on a keyboard. A crowd of drunk vacationers was singing an off-key rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” swaying with drinks held high.

Melissa’s face filled the screen. She was sunburned badly, her nose and cheeks bright red and peeling. She was wearing continue reading …