PART 1 — The Suitcase That Came Home Without Him

The suitcase came around the carousel with one wheel dragging sideways, and James’s navy tie was looped through the handle so tightly I had to work it loose with my fingernail.

I stood up too fast and caught the suitcase before it tipped.

The airport belt carried on without me.

My phone showed 5:12 p.m.

I had been home from Portugal for less than an hour, and I had already asked my family for the first small favor.

“Can you come get me?” I had texted Troy.

Nearly four minutes later, my brother answered with two sentences.

“We are overwhelmed tonight.

Take an Uber.”

I read them again while the suitcase bumped against my shoe.

“I have James’s suitcase.”

The three dots appeared, disappeared, then returned.

“Amelia, I cannot leave.

Mom is making dinner.

We have the kids.”

I put the phone in my coat pocket.

There were two suitcases, a carry-on, and James’s navy tie.