I ARRIVED AT MY BEACH HOUSE EXPECTING PEACE-YILUX

was about my son.

Robert.

The boy who used to run barefoot through that same yard, chasing seagulls and asking me if the ocean ever got tired.

The boy who once cried when he accidentally broke one of my flower pots.

The boy who… hadn’t called me in three weeks.

I pressed call.

It rang twice.

“Eleanor?” His voice was older now, but steady. Familiar.

“Yes,” continue reading …