Ten Words on a Phone Screen Turned My Family’s Breakfast Upside Down

My father came in.

Thomas had a folded newspaper tucked under his arm.

He had on his work boots.

He stopped short when he saw me kneeling on the floor with Emma.

He looked at the black cast iron skillet on the rug.

He looked at Vanessa’s crossed arms.

Then he looked at the digital clock on the coffee maker.

“I’ll clean the sink,” Thomas said.