My Parents Saw My Son And Knew

the top.

My handwriting.

Block letters so hard the marker had bled through.

MOM AND DAD. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME, LISTEN.

Mom sat down on the last basement step.

Dad took out the cassette with both hands. “I thought it was from a fundraiser,” he said, not looking at either of us. “That week was… I didn’t know. I put it away to deal with later.”

Later.

Ten continue reading …