[EVIE]
Long after Dad has left, and I’ve convinced Joel to sleep after hearing all about his Halloween plans, I return to my room restless.
I still can’t shake off the question I asked Mom. It was so wrong of me to do—so unfair. She was struggling. I knew that, and yet, I pushed her further down that spiral. All I wanted was her to indulge, to sit down with us and complete the family. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to listen to Dad’s talks because the thought of, ‘does she not miss his voice’ kept scratching the corners of my brain.
Sighing, I slump down on the bed, my feet dangling off the edge. I told myself, I’d never push her again. I’d accepted the truth of my family. I’d never see them be the couple who once inspired me to find a similar lasting and unconditional love a
