Chapter 6

The day I moved into my new apartment, I plugged my old phone in by the bed. The screen lit up—forty-seven missed calls. Mostly from Mom, then Dad, and several from Harry.

I tapped the voicemail icon.

Mom's voice played first. "Ellie, I heard it all... Where are you? Please, just let me see you." She was already sobbing.

Next was Dad. "Come home. Not to move back, just... let's talk. I was wrong." His voice was low, heavy.

Then Harry. "Ellie, I'm begging you, pick up. Scream at me, curse me out, do whatever you want."

The last voicemail…