m as he reread the email. Leo, state debate champion.

things. Michael, a handyman doing odd jobs, knew what sacrifice looked like. He' d given up his own architect dreams years ago when Leo was small, so Jessica co

ering the quiet eveni

er? Micha

es

multi-car pile-up. Your son,

he sterile smell, the hushed voic

ds shaking too badly. Jessica. He had

. Again.

a hundred times. Each ring

gently. "Mr. Miller, you

beeping around him. His eyes

... I wish Mom... could h

closed. The be

chael didn' t know. He was numb.

" app they' d installed. For eme

. Her phone pinge

? Her "work conference" was

er the Miami moon, music p

d. David, her childhood friend, stood b

voice amplified. "College-bound!

y but also gifted Ryan a downtown condo, a brand new BMW, and a

a smiled, a practiced, mo

waiting room, Michael stared at his p

wered.

important business meeting. Can it w

ds out, the ones that would b

flection in the dark sc

ed, his face grim