My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”

talking quickly, asking what he had done, whether they were safe, whether Marcus knew where they were going.

I spoke over all of them. “You left me there.”

“No,” my father said quickly. “No, I didn’t know this would happen.”

“But you knew enough to make sure somebody was home.”

His breathing grew heavier.

“Emily,” he said, changing tactics, softening his continue reading …