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

I sat beside Ruth with my blue binder on my lap.

People moved through the hallway carrying folders and paper cups.

A clerk called names.

Some conversations ended in whispers.

Others in tears.

I watched the doors open and close.

Then Aaron arrived with Douglas.

My brother carried a folder.