MY HUSBAND SHOOK ME AWAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT—“GET UP, BACKYARD, NOW!”

carried a duffel bag—ours. I recognized the faded red strap. It had been in the hall closet for years. They loaded it into the SUV and drove away without urgency.

My husband remained inside.

I waited until the house went dark again. Five minutes. Ten. Every second felt like glass scraping my nerves raw.

Finally, I heard the back door open quietly.

“Come continue reading …