I called Mom while I was shopping and asked, “Should I bring chocolate cake or apple pie for Christmas?” – Welcome

harsh holiday lighting. Half the shelves had been picked clean, Christmas music drifted through the speakers, and exhausted employees moved around shoppers searching for last-minute dinner ingredients.

I adjusted the cake against my hip.

“Very funny, Mom. Which one do you want?”

She didn’t answer.

That was when my smile disappeared.

“We did Christmas yesterday,continue reading …