birdie for the fifth time in a row. Her laughter was the only sound that mattered. Today was a milestone, not just any birthday. A year ago, she wouldn't even step outside after the incident. No

I had given up

rill. This simple life, this quiet h

g out. The side gate to the backyard slammed open, and my wife's brother, Leo, stormed in. Two of his friends, beefy guys I' d never

g from her hand. She ran and hid behind me, h

ered, waving a hand around the yar

f a strange mix of a

ng my voice even. "Leo. You weren't invit

ere. He stepped closer, invading my space. "Call? Wh

e? What are you talking about? Sarah a

e laugh. You mean Sarah bought it. You haven' t had a real job in years

chest. "You' re a parasite, Alex. A stay-at-home dad? That' s not a man

ar, hot thing, begin to stir in my gut. I pushed i

ch," I said, my voice low and steady. "You ne

hter? You can barely take care of yourself. This is for the best. Sara

owing frustration with what she called my "lack of ambition." But she loved Lily. She wouldn't tea

," I said, standing my g

what was happening. As I pulled it out, Leo' s hand shot out and slapped the p

im. "Who are you going to call, you pathetic loser? Your momm