“You’re dead to this family, Claire!” she screamed, her voice cracking on the last word.

“Do you hear me?

You’re completely dead to us!”

The guards pushed her through the opening into the bright elevator car.

I watched the silver doors slide shut over her shouting face, and the hallway fell completely silent.

I led Brooklyn back into the quiet family room and shut the door firmly behind us.

Less than fifteen minutes later, the heavy wooden door burst open and slammed flat against the wall.

Kevin stood in the doorway with his blue overnight duffel bag slung over his left shoulder.