I Came Home Two Days Early to Surprise My Family — and Found My Mother Rationed, Bruised, and Terrified in My Own Kitchen

The soft, heavy sound of it seemed very loud in that kitchen.

Wendy laughed, and raised an eyebrow at me, amused.

“What is this?” she said.

“Nothing.” I turned back to face her, and I made my face show her absolutely nothing at all.

“Enjoy that wine, Wendy.

By tomorrow, you may have nothing left to celebrate.”