A three AM phone call about a locked room changed everything

house,” I said.

“I did not call to argue with you,” Stacey said, her breathing shallow over the line. “I wanted to make sure we were still okay. For the girls’ sake.”

“We are not okay, Stacey,” I said. “And we are not going to be.”

“Lily, please,” she said.

“Goodbye, Stacey,” I said, and placed the receiver back on the cradle.

I sat in continue reading …