I spotted my father across the room, his arm wrapped around Laura, my mom’s younger sister.
They looked content, sharing a private joke amidst the celebrations.
My stomach churned, but I reminded myself he deserved happiness.
Maybe this was just how he coped with Mom’s death.
That’s when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
It was my brother, his face flushed, as if he’d been running.
He arrived late, and his eyes darted around the room, searching for something, or maybe someone.
Continue on the next page:
