Every Friday at 6 p.m. my daughter called me without fail, and the one week my phone stayed silent I drove to her house and heard a sound from upstairs that turned our quiet Tennessee life into something I still can’t fully talk about

“How long until we can have a funeral?” I asked.

“We’ll release her body within the week,” Dr. Martinez said. “Our examination is complete.”

I nodded. At least Amelia could say goodbye properly. At least we could give Allison the dignity Kevin had tried to steal.

I leaned down and kissed my daughter’s forehead one last time.

Cold. So cold.

“He will answer continue reading …