MY SON-IN-LAW CALLED MY DAUGHTER “BUTTERBALL” AND TOLD HER SHE WASN’T ALLOWED TO HAVE DESSERT AT OUR FAMILY DINNER — HE HAD NO IDEA I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE HIM REGRET IT.

chin trembled. “You made Mommy cry.”

“I know,” he whispered. “And I am sorry.”

She stepped back into Sally’s arms.

Dennis walked Greg to the front door.

Nobody yelled.

Nobody had to.

The strongest sound in the entire house was the quiet click of the door closing after he left.

Later, once Emmy was asleep in the guest room with a few cake crumbs still on her continue reading …