My parents texted me, “The Christmas party has been canceled. Don’t come, my love.” They had no idea I was standing right outside the door, watching them and my sister raise a glass and say, “Merry Christmas—it’s so much better without So

wrote it to be opened the first Christmas he wasn’t here—if Sophia wasn’t present.”

The air inside changed. I could see it on their faces—the sudden tension, the flicker of guilt.

My sister Chloe’s smile tightened. “Sophia couldn’t make it,” she said quickly. “We canceled.”

Marlene’s eyes narrowed. “Did you,” she asked, flat.

My mother laughed too high.continue reading …