He sat with his wife’s photo, waiting for a son who had already boarded without him

my heart like a tiny ember, waiting to be fanned into a flame.

They were waiting for the day I would need to remember them. And that day finally arrived. At the airport.

After my first year of college, everything at home felt rearranged. The guest room where Grandpa stayed was suddenly kept locked during the day. Mom said it was for his safety. Dad claimed continue reading …