My children had soot on their pajamas and no home left, but my parents still said they could not stay the night. They praised my sister’s perfect life while my roof collapsed behind me. By sunrise, Grandma arrived and everything changed.

We just need a place to sleep.”

My father appeared behind her, tying his robe.

“Is everyone alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t overreact,” he said, as if my fear was the problem.

Mason coughed again. Ellie hid her face in my coat.

Mom looked past us toward the driveway.

“Your sister and Brad are coming tomorrow morning. We can’t have the kids coughing all over the continue reading …