CNU-My daughter-in-law said Christmas would be easier if I stayed away, and my son did not even raise his eyes to defend me. So I stayed home, alone, exactly as requested. …

do with words.

But waiting only helps when the other side is drifting.

This was not drift. It was a system.

I poured myself two fingers of bourbon and took it, untouched, into my study. Ellen’s photograph sat on the bookshelf beside a framed crayon drawing Susan had made at six. Through the window, the lake was black glass under a moonless sky.

I sat there continue reading …