She stared at her plate.

Something was very wrong.

PART 2 — “WOULD YOU BELIEVE ME?”

Later, I went into the kitchen for water.

Tiny footsteps followed.

Sophia stood near the island holding a stuffed rabbit against her chest.

“Uncle Michael?”

“What is it, little bird?”

The nickname came from when she was a baby and made chirping noises before she learned to talk.

She looked toward the dining room.