Chapter 5

We packed before David’s cake had time to dry around the edges.

I filled one suitcase with Jamie’s medicine, medical records, and clothes. Ava packed her schoolbooks and debate tickets. My work uniforms went into the third.

Jamie folded his three-person family drawing and placed it beside his hospital wish list.

At the kitchen calendar, he touched the faint mark where he had erased Friday’s plate.

“Do you want to bring it?” I asked.

“No. Dad can see it.”

I texted David.

The kids and I are staying with my father tonight. We’re safe.

Then I turned off the kitchen…