My father stood up at the lake house dinner and raised his glass in fr…

understand a room.

She looked at my face.

Then at my bag.

Then back at my face.

I kept my voice soft.

“We’re going to say good night and head home, Bug.”

She studied me for one more second. Children often understand what adults spend years pretending not to see.

“Okay,” she said.

She gathered her cards and handed them to Poppy. “I have to go.”

Poppy frowned.continue reading …