I Left My House Empty Three Days Before Christmas

“Mom, I don’t want to.”

That did it.

Something hard settled into place in me.

Not rage. Colder than that.

“Diane,” I said, “listen carefully. You are not leaving those children anywhere they are not wanted and agreed to. Not at my house. Not on Jenny’s back. If you do, I will call the police and tell them exactly what happened.”

Nobody spoke.

I don’t think continue reading …