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

Douglas was partly visible behind the table.

Aaron had made a face at the camera.

For several seconds, I studied it.

The picture came from a day I remembered enjoying.

The later events didn’t erase that enjoyment.

I was allowed to keep the memory.

I placed the photograph in a small frame.

Set it on the shelf.