I Gave Away the Birthday Chocolates, Then the Screaming Started

it felt like a mask.

I did not ring the bell for long. No one answered. I used my key.

Inside, the air was thick and stale, like the house itself was holding its breath.

Dad sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, staring at a dark television. Evelyn paced near the kitchen doorway, phone clutched in her hand so tightly her knuckles were pale. Melissa stood continue reading …