Three Days Before the Casket Was Delivered, My Son Asked Me to Sign a Document

“She called the cops,” Victoria said.

Her voice climbed.

“Tell them she’s confused.

Tell them she broke in.”

I heard a struggle, a hand clamped over a mouthpiece, and then nothing but air.

I held my mouth close to the phone and gave the address one more time.

Chloe’s breathing changed, quick and shallow.

I rubbed small circles on her back and kept my eyes on the locked knob.