The Garage Christmas: A Father, a Son, and the Dog Who Stayed

perfect for her. Everything has to look perfect.”

I didn’t say Jessica’s name.

I didn’t need to.

Ryan’s eyes flicked to me.

“After Mom died,” he said, “you stopped talking.”

I blinked.

“I talked,” I said.

He shook his head.

“No,” he said. “You functioned. You worked. You fed the dog. You fixed the truck. You didn’t… you didn’t let me in.”

That stung because continue reading …