Chapter 1 When I got home from work, my 6-year-old daughter Laya was curled in my arms, wheezing so hard her little fox pajamas moved with every shallow breath.
in time.”
In time.
Scott nodded because if he opened his mouth, something inside him would break.
They returned home just after one in the morning.
The porch light was still on.
Through the window, Scott saw movement inside.
Of course Doug and Marlene were still there.
When he stepped into the house with Laya asleep in his arms, his father stood in the kitchen doorway with his arms crossed.
“You don’t talk to us like that,” Doug said. “We’re your parents.”
Scott looked at him for a long moment.
Then he carried Laya down the hall, tucked her into bed, placed Copper beside her pillow, and waited until her breathing was even.
Only then did he return to the kitchen.
His parents were waiting for an apology.
May you like
Scott stood in the doorway, calm as stone.
“I asked one thing,” he said. “One thing to keep my daughter breathing. You chose dinner instead.”
