Valerie Came Home From Deployment to Find Her Twelve-Year-Old Daughter in Intensive Care

“I don’t know where he was.

I know the house was lit up like a Sunday when I drove past at ten, and his car was gone from the drive.”

I picked the thermos back up and made myself drink.

Elena said, “She asked me a strange thing in September.

She asked me how old you have to be to pick which parent you live with.”

I straightened the cuff of my sleeve and looked at the ICU doors.