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

Now the words had arrived after the police were involved.

After my door had been damaged.

After I’d called 911 because I was afraid.

I didn’t know what to do with them.

Elaine seemed to understand.

She didn’t ask me to forgive her.

She placed the missing button beside my coffee cup.

Then sat quietly.