I set my leather purse on the little entry table and kept my coat buttoned to my throat.

Julian led me into the living room and pointed to the brown leather armchair by the window.

“I was out of my mind with panic, Mom, but everything’s going to be normal again,” he said, sitting down on the wooden coffee table across from me.

I stayed on my feet next to the armchair, my hands clasped tightly together in front of my coat.

“You threatened to call the county sheriff on me, Julian,” I said.