At 3 A.M., My Brother Dragged Me Out of My Bedroom While Dad Laughed—He Had No Idea What the Smoke Detector Had Recorded

She folded her hands.

“That wasn’t fair to you.”

I stared at the photograph.

I wanted to forgive her immediately.

I also wanted to ask why it had taken so long.

Both feelings were real.

“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted.

Elaine nodded.