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 picked up my bag.

Elaine stepped closer.

For a moment, I thought she might ask me to stay.

Instead, she said:

“Call me when you get home.”

I nodded.

Then walked toward the exit.

Outside, the sky was pale.