I Prayed for a Miracle, Now I Lock My Door Against My Son

closed. If I spoke, I would confirm I was here. If I spoke, Tyler would know exactly where.

I forced air into my lungs.

“I’m in the bedroom. It’s locked.”

A pause. The kind where people decide what they believe.

“Are you hurt?” the woman asked.

I stared at my bruised forearms, half hidden by my sleeves even now, even in my own room alone.

“No,” I lied automatically.continue reading …