PART 1 — The Box Beside the Workbench

The cardboard box slipped against my hip when the scream came from inside the chest freezer.

“Daddy!”

I dropped the box beside the workbench and crossed the garage in three steps.

Lily’s gray hoodie was bunched around her neck, and her small hands pushed against the heavy lid from underneath.

“Lily, I’m here.”

I lifted the lid and reached down.

She grabbed my wrist before I could say anything else.

“Get me out.

Get me out.”

“I’ve got you.”

I pulled her up carefully and set her on the concrete beside me.

She stood in her socks, looking toward the house instead of at me.

I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

“Are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

“Your hands?”

She held them out.